HC Deb 05 April 2000 vol 347 cc520-1W
Dr. Iddon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make a decision on the recommendations made to him by the Home Office Consultative Group on the setting up of an independent documentation centre for information on countries of origin of asylum seekers. [117069]

Mrs. Roche

Since the Consultative Group reported in December 1998, our priority has been to support the recovery of asylum decision output through the expansion and improvement of advice to caseworkers on country situations. This has included taking account of the Consultative Group's recommendations about the format and content of the published assessments. Once we are satisfied with the progress that has been made on these immediate priorities, we shall turn to considering other possible initiatives for developing country of origin assessments, including the idea of a documentation centre which was examined by the Consultative Group.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of (1) the number of jobs the dispersal process for asylum seekers will create in local authorities; [117065]

(2) the total administrative cost to local government of the dispersal of asylum seekers; [117064]

(3) the ratio of staff support to asylum seekers in local government; and if he will make a statement. [117066]

Mrs. Roche

None, either as regards the existing voluntary dispersal scheme or as regards the new centrally administered one.

Since 1 April 1999, the Home Office has been responsible for reimbursing local authorities for the costs of supporting asylum seekers. Local authorities may claim the costs incurred in supporting asylum seekers up to a limit of £140 a week for a single adult and of £240 a week for a family. However, how they allocate these resources, the number of staff they employ and the ratio of staff support to asylum seekers is a matter for the local authorities.

Under the new national asylum support scheme, the Home Office will pay for accommodation and essential living needs.