§ Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making to assist those refugees recognised by the United Kingdom as in need of international protection to settle successfully in this country; and if he will make a statement [97214]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Government recognise the immense contribution that refugees have made to our culture and society. We believe that once a decision is made to grant permission to stay, either permanently or on a long term basis, refugees need assistance to build their lives in the United Kingdom to develop their own and their families potential to the full and to contribute to their new host society. I have issued today a Consultation Paper which sets out our proposals to help achieve these aims through partnerships between central and local government, the voluntary sector, local communities, including ethnic minority and refugee community organisations and the refugee communities themselves. Views are invited from106W interested parties on how best to take forward this important work. The Consultation Paper is available in the Library and will also be sent to the main asylum and refugee interest groups and is available on the Home Office internet site: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/assd/assd.htm.
Responses to the Consultation Paper should be forwarded to the Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Asylum Support Project Team, Quest House, 11 Cross Road, Croydon CR0 6ER by 6 December 1999.