§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has had with BAA Lynton regarding the use of the former RAF Turnhouse site for an asylum seeker accommodation centre. [42733]
§ Beverley HughesThe Home Office, through its agent, has been in discussion with the British Airport Authority Lynton regarding the former Royal Air Force Turnhouse site, initially on the availability of the site and subsequently as to the potential for using the site as an accommodation centre.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what voluntary activity away from the sites of asylum accommodation centres he considers appropriate for residents of such centres; and if he will make a statement. [59277]
§ Beverley HughesWe expect most purposeful activity to take place on site at accommodation centres. Opportunities for voluntary activity away from the sites will depend upon local circumstances in exactly the same way as such voluntary activity is available to and taken up by asylum seekers who do not live in accommodation centres. Residents of accommodation centres will not be compelled to undertake voluntary work away from the sites.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what contingency plans he has for the use of the facilities if the evaluation of the asylum accommodation centres show the centres are not performing satisfactorily; [59072]
(2) how he will evaluate the performance of asylum accommodation centres; and how long after the opening of the centres the evaluation will be completed. [59071]
428W
§ Beverley HughesWe set out the likely criteria for evaluating accommodation centres in the White Paper published on 7 February 2002 (Cm. 5387). We are still considering the details of the evaluation process.
We expect the trial centres to be successful. If in the light of the evaluation of the trial there is a need to modify any aspect of the centres, we will address that at the time.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about compensation arrangements for residents living adjacent to Throckmorton airfield as a result of the combined impact of the foot and mouth disease burial site and the proposed asylum accommodation centre. [57345]
§ Beverley HughesMy officials have had discussions with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) officials in connection with the proposed accommodation centre at Throckmorton airfield, near Pershore, Worcestershire. We do not anticipate grounds for compensation of this nature.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private sector sites have been offered to his Department for the proposed asylum accommodation centres; and for what reasons such sites are not being given further consideration. [57344]
§ Beverley HughesAll sites, which have emerged as potentially suitable for accommodation centres, are being given consideration. In addition to the sties we have identified ourselves, a number have been put forward by potential bidders. We will not be putting into the public domain details of such sites unless and until they are considered to be a serious prospect for the siting of an accommodation centre.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2002,Official Report, column 1308W, on asylum seekers accommodation centres, when he will place in the Library the documentation for the bidders conference. [66144]
§ Beverley Hughes[holdinganswer 2 July 20021A copy will be placed in the Library shortly.