HC Deb 27 November 2001 vol 375 cc824-5W
Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how NASS(a) monitors and (b) inspects the accommodation into which they place (i) asylum seekers and (ii) refugees; and if he will place the latest inspection report in the Library. [17716]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 23 November 2001]: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) provides accommodation for asylum seekers. It is not responsible for providing accommodation to those who have been accepted as refugees. The NASS Housing Management Team conducts random inspections of properties throughout the country on a weekly basis. These inspections assess the quality of accommodation provided and highlight any maintenance issues requiring remedial action. The Contractor is required to take action within specified timescales and follow up inspections are undertaken to ensure that repairs have been completed satisfactorily.

The NASS Housing Management Team has close liaison with contract managers who undertake similar tasks, as well as ensuring that contractual obligations are met.

Apart from inspections conducted by its own staff NASS also commissions inspections of accommodation by third party consultants.

I am unable to provide details of inspection reports as these are commercially confidential.

Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees placed by NASS in accommodation outside the Greater London area have returned to the Greater London area within the past 12 months. [17715]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 23 November 2001]: The information requested is not available.

The National Asylum Support Service only supports asylum seekers. Refugees who require support can apply for support from social services.

Currently information linking the movements of NASS supported asylum seekers within the United Kingdom is not available.

Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees have been placed by the NASS in (a) private sector, (b) local authority and (c) housing association accommodation since April 2000, broken down by region. [17724]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 23 November 2001]: Information is not available in the form requested.

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) only supports asylum seekers. Refugees who require support can apply for support from the Benefits Agency.

As at the end of July 2001, 28,8101 asylum seekers including dependants were being supported in NASS accommodation. The regional breakdown is in the table.

Region Asylum seekers supported in NASS accommodation as at end July 2001 1
East of England 1,630
East Midlands 200
Greater London 680
North East 4,240
North West 6,190
Northern Ireland 50
Scotland 3,890
South Central 390
South West 540
Wales 370
West Midlands 4,410
Yorkshire and Humberside 6,230
1 All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and exclude cases that have had their support ceased

Information on the type of accommodation in which asylum seekers are housed is currently not available.