HC Deb 15 May 1996 vol 277 cc454-5W
Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inquiries his Department has received from housing authorities seeking to establish whether a claimant for homelessness is also seeking political asylum. [28968]

Miss Widdecombe

Since the beginning of February this year, when a central point of contact was set up within the immigration and nationality directorate, 577 inquiries have been received from housing authorities seeking to establish whether a person seeking assistance under part III of the Housing Act 1985, England and Wales, part II of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 or part II of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1988, has applied for asylum.