§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what dates in 1991 Ministers and/or officials have met representatives of the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service; what was discussed; and what further meetings are planned;
(2) what communication has been received from the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service proposals that green form legal aid be withdrawn and UKIAS provide advice and assistance on political asylum, immigration and nationality matters; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what increase in the Home Office grant-in-aid to the United Kingdom Immigrant Advisory Service would be required if it has to become the sole provider of advice and assistance on political asylum, immigration and nationality matters and if green form legal aid was wholly or partially withdrawn; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what departmental grant-in-aid has been given to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in each of the past five years; and what grant-in-aid has been agreed for the coming financial year.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThere are frequent discussions between the Home Office and the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service. In the past 12 months, these have included the discussions to which I referred in my 461W reply to the hon. Member's Question on 14 October 1991, at column 25, about our proposals on green form legal aid, and discussions, which continue, of other matters relevant to the payment of grant-in-aid, including aspects of UKIAS management. The grant paid to UKIAS in the financial years ending 31 March 1988 to 31 March 1991 was £0.961 million, £1.007 million, £1.130 million and £1.351 million respectively. £1.422 million has been paid so far this financial year. Payments for the remainder of this year and for future years will be determined in the light of continuing discussions with UKIAS about the resources needed to enable the organisation to respond to an increased workload.