§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been settled in(a) each region of England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) Greater London by the National Asylum Support Service in each quarter since it came into operation. [57849]
§ Beverley HughesThe information is not available in the form requested. Only those asylum seekers requesting that accommodation be provided as part of an application for support are liable to be dispersed. Other supported asylum seekers receiving subsistence only may choose to live in a particular area whilst their application for asylum is considered.
The table shows the number of asylum seekers including dependants, supported in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation or receiving subsistence only support in each region as at the end of each quarter since December 2000.
1423W
Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) in each region as at the end of each quarter since December 20001,2 Region End of December 2000 End of March 2001 End of June 2001 End of September 2001 End of December 2001 Yorkshire and Humberside 3,640 4,960 6,070 7,330 8,760 Total England 21,000 30,310 39,700 47,780 59,720 Scotland 1,320 2,570 3,720 4,380 4,990 Wales 80 90 390 560 840 Northern Ireland * 40 60 70 80 Total United Kingdom 22,400 33,010 43,870 52,790 65,630 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, * indicates a number between one and four. Figures may not sum due to rounding. 2 Figures exclude cases where the asylum seekers support has been ceased. Information on the number of asylum seekers supported in each region by NASS is published quarterly. The next publication will cover the period up to March 2002, and will be available from 31 May 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.