HC Deb 11 December 2001 vol 376 cc831-2W
Mr. Malin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of failed asylum applicants who will be removed from the UK in(a) 2001 and (b) 2002. [17085]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 22 November 2001]: The current Service Delivery Agreement target relating to the removal of failed asylum seekers from the United Kingdom is to remove 30,000 in 2001–02; 33,000 in 2003–04; and 37,000 in 2003–04. The totals include dependants.

The 30,000 target for this year has always been ambitious and high risk. To enable us to reach it we need to remove about 2,500 people a month. It remains our aim to achieve this monthly total by March 2002.

So far in 2001, 7,400 failed asylum seekers have been removed, which, from April onwards, includes dependants.

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reform the asylum system, particularly in terms of the effects on the provision of housing. [21016]

Angela Eagle

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the steps he is taking to reform the asylum system on 29 October 2001,Official Report, column 627. These include the establishment on a trial basis of 3,000 accommodation centre places. For the remainder of asylum seekers existing support arrangements will continue to be provided.