§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of restoring benefit entitlement to asylum seekers in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [12803]
§ Mr. Roger Evans[holding answer 27 January 1997]: The cost of restoring entitlement to income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit for asylum seekers is estimated at £200 million in 1997–98, £240 million in 1998–99 and £250 million in 1999–2000.