HC Deb 01 May 2001 vol 367 cc611-2W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in deciding allocations of asylum seekers for dispersal to areas outside the south-east, he takes account of the number already coming in to such areas through ports of entry within the areas. [158914]

Mrs. Roche

The identification of suitable cluster areas for the dispersal of asylum seekers and their dependants is based on research conducted centrally by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Information is obtained from local authorities and other organisations with an interest in asylum. The presence of asylum seekers already in the area will also be taken into consideration.

Only asylum seekers who request that accommodation be provided as part of a support package will be considered for dispersal. Asylum seekers making their claim in one dispersal area may, if they request accommodation, be required to move to another which is more suitable for their needs. An asylum seeker requesting support including accommodation who is already resident in a dispersal area may be housed here by NASS if his circumstances make this appropriate.

Asylum seekers who do not require support or who apply for subsistence only can live where they choose.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum applications include dependant children; and if he will make a statement. [159436]

Mrs. Roche

The proportion of principal applicants who have at least one dependant (excluding a spouse) at the application stage who is under the age of 18 is estimated to be 8 per cent.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places have been provided for dispersed asylum seekers by(a) local authorities, (b) accommodation providers and (c) boarding houses since dispersal began. [159739]

Mrs. Roche

Bedspaces provided to the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) for the dispersal of asylum seekers since 1 April 2000 are:

Bedspaces
NASS public sector providers 18,742
NASS private sector providers 20,584

No information is available on boarding houses.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what limits are placed on numbers of asylum seekers in any one property purchased by accommodation providers; and what guidance is given to them on the size of properties. [159737]

Mrs. Roche

All accommodation providers must as part of their contract with the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) comply with the provisions of the Housing Act 1985 or the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. In addition providers must comply with local authority regulations relating to planning and environmental health and any local registration or licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who authorises the purchase of properties for the accommodation of asylum seekers in cluster areas by accommodation providers; and who bears the costs if planning permission is refused; [159738]

(2) which organisations commission and finance providers of accommodation for asylum seekers; and for how long their contracts last. [159723]

Mrs. Roche

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is responsible for the commission and finance of accommodation for asylum seekers. The voluntary sector supplies initial emergency accommodation for asylum seekers while their application for support is being considered. Local authorities, registered social landlords and private sector companies provide accommodation in dispersal areas. The length of individual contracts varies from one to five years.

Accommodation providers under contract to NASS are responsible for obtaining sufficient accommodation in cluster areas to meet the terms of their contract. Once obtained the accommodation is offered to NASS who decide if it is acceptable. If the property contains more than six bedspaces it will be subject to a 28-day consultation period with the relevant local authority.

Accommodation providers would be expected to bear the costs of any unsuccessful applications for planning permission.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how he limits the numbers of properties and places private accommodation providers can purchase in each cluster area for asylum seekers; [159727]

(2) how he ensures that no area receives a disproportionate number of dispersed asylum seekers; and how he defines disproportionate for this purpose. [159752]

Mrs. Roche

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) establishes cluster areas in consultation with local authorities. Accommodation providers are contracted to provide bedspaces in individual cluster areas up to the target specified in the contract.

The proportionate distribution of dispersed asylum seekers is achieved on the basis of local population figures or consideration of particular local circumstances.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001,Official Report, column 57W, what evidence he has to support the conclusion that people seeking asylum are managing to combine their vouchers and cash to ensure they do not lose out; and what representations he has received to the contrary. [159813]

Mrs. Roche

We have received a number of representations from non-governmental organisations, hon. Members, members of the public, retailers and others about the impact of the "no change" rule.

The issue is something we are looking at as part of the review of the operation of the asylum voucher scheme. As part of that review we have investigated asylum seekers' experiences and I have visited retailers and spoken to staff about the operation of the no change rule. We will make our conclusions available when the review reports.