HC Deb 13 November 1991 vol 198 cc537-8W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service about the increases in resources for its work.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Discussions have been continuing between the Home Office and representatives of UKIAS on the resources needed to enable the organisation to respond to an increased workload. An initial payment of £200,000 has been made to UKIAS to enhance the refugee unit and further amounts will be made available for this purpose as they become necessary.

Mr. Shersby

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to the taxpayer of legal aid provided through the legal aid service and through the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service to asylum seekers for the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I understand that legal aid for all immigration cases was £2.65 million for 1990–91. No separate figure is available for asylum-related costs. For the year ending March 1991, the Home Office provided UKIAS with £72,690, as part of the annual grant in aid, towards the cost of its refugee unit.