§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the situation of asylum seekers Mr. and Mrs. Eric Moussavou, placed in the Palace Hotel, Southend on 16 May 2000 by the London Borough of Barnet; and for what reason letters from their solicitors to his Department on 6 February and 23 May have not been replied to. [1095]
§ Angela EagleMr. Eric Moussavou applied for asylum "in country" in May 2000 and will therefore be supported by his local authority under the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999. Local authorities providing support to asylum seekers may choose to disperse the asylum seeker under the voluntary dispersal arrangements which came into effect on 6 December 1999.
The delay in the consideration of Mr. Moussavou's asylum application and in replying to his solicitors' letters of 6 February 2001 and 23 May 2001 are regrettable. Unfortunately, the applicant's papers were incorrectly filed. In view of the consequent delay in processing his asylum claim, arrangements will be made to invite the applicant to attend an interview at the earliest opportunity