§ Mr. FallonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total cost to the public departments of dealing with asylum seekers in 2000–01; and what was the total cost in 1999–2000.[126088]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Home Office and the Department of Health made payments totalling £590 million for supporting asylum seeking adults, families and children in 1999–2000. The costs of asylum support depend on a wide variety of factors and estimates for 2000–01 remain under review. The Home Office has a provisional allocation of £300 million for the support of adults and families in 2000–01.
§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if asylum seekers from Zimbabwe are liable to be fast-tracked through the asylum determination process.[125126]
§ Mrs. RocheAll asylum cases are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the United Kingdom's international obligations. While it is sometimes necessary, in managing the Immigration system as a whole, to prioritise cases or groups of cases on the basis of nationality where there is a compelling reason for doing so, the number of Zimbabwean asylum applications remains low and they are currently not afforded any special priority as a result of their nationality.