§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what arrangements he has made to ensure that local authorities monitor the number of asylum seekers who make a claim for social services assistance 385W under section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 on the basis of their need for care and attention, for reasons other than their destitution; and if he will make a statement; [85817]
(2) whether arrangements have been made to offer local authorities additional financial support to deal with changes in the number of asylum seekers who make a claim for social services assistance under section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 on the basis of their need for care and attention for reasons other than their destitution after January 2003, and if he will make a statement. [85818]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answers 10 December 2002]Following implementation of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, it is not anticipated that from January 2003 local councils will incur additional costs in supporting asylum seekers who make a claim for social services assistance under section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948. Individual councils may monitor the number of asylum seekers claiming assistance but there is no legal requirement for them to do so.