§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the inspection552W procedure for accommodation for asylum seekers (a) before the introduction of and (b) under the asylum seekers support scheme. [66714]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Home Office currently has no responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers (other than those held in detention). Asylum seekers who are currently in need of accommodation support receive such support from local authorities.
The new asylum seekers support scheme described in the White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—a modern approach to immigration and asylum" (Cm 4018) is in the planning stage. It is too soon to indicate what plans we have for inspection of asylum seeker accommodation.