HC Deb 12 March 2001 vol 364 c487W
16. Mr. Syms

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the functioning of the national asylum support scheme. [151717]

Mrs. Roche

The new asylum support arrangements were brought in on a phased basis from 3 April 2000 and by 29 August the national asylum support service (NASS) had assumed responsibility for the majority of all new asylum seekers. In addition, since 25 September all eligible disbenefited cases are now the responsibility of NASS. This has limited the responsibility of local authorities in providing support for asylum seekers.

22. Ms Oona King

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the national asylum support service. [151724]

Mrs. Roche

The new asylum support arrangements were brought in on a phased basis from 3 April 2000, and by 29 August the national asylum support service (NASS) had assumed responsibility for the majority of all new asylum seekers. In addition, since 25 September 2000 all eligible disbenefited cases are now the responsibility of NASS. As at the end of January 2001, NASS was providing voucher only support on 9,9601 asylum seekers including dependants and 19,8201 asylum seekers, including dependants, had been allocated accommodation. 1 All figures are provisional and rounded to the nearest ten.