§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when Kent County Council may expect reimbursement for sums paid to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [23774]
§ Mr. BoatengWe expect to lay Special Grant Reports before the House at the end of this month and will hope to receive approval by the end of February. Local authorities will be invited to make claims for grants by the end of February and, provided that approval is given, payments should be made before the end of this financial year.
§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid through East Kent Social Services to asylum seekers resident in the(a) Thanet travel-to-work area and (b) Dover travel-to-work area since 1 December 1997. [23772]
§ Mr. BoatengIt is not possible to give these details as the Department will not know the number of asylum seekers receiving support, or the total expenditure, until claims for grants are received from authorities. Local authorities are not required to supply a breakdown of expenditure by area so, even once claims for grants are received from Kent County Council, it will not be possible to supply the breakdown requested.