HC Deb 05 March 2002 vol 381 cc159-60W
Tony Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people he plans to accommodate in accommodation centres for asylum seekers; what length of average stay is planned; and what range of facilities will be provided. [37077]

Angela Eagle

The accommodation centre trial will be based on 3,000 places, spread across four centres.

It is not possible to specify what an average length of stay will be, at this stage. We intend, as my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in the House on 7 February 2002, Official Report, column 1039, that no asylum seeker should be in an accommodation centre for in excess of six months.

A range of facilities will be provided on site. They will include health care, interpretation, education for both adults and children (including English language), and other purposeful activities such as information technology classes and volunteering. Residents will also have access to legal advice.

Tony Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the sites that have been identified as potential sites for accommodation centres for asylum seekers. [37098]

Angela Eagle

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 11 February 2002,Official Report, column 57W.

Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to locate all residential asylum facilities in areas with ready access to the emergency services. [38645]

Angela Eagle

As part of the initiative to develop new removal centres and trial accommodation centres for asylum seekers, the Home Office will consult and take account of the views of the relevant emergency services.

Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2002,Official Report, column 57W, on asylum accommodation centres, what the distance to the nearest (a) primary school, (b) secondary school, (c) special school, (d) further education college, (e) railway station, (f) bus stop, (g) post office, (h) chemist, (i) hospital, (j) leisure centre, (k) library and (l) Immigration Appellate Authority appeal centre is for each proposed site. [37849]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 4 March 2002]: We have not collected the information requested by my hon. Friend. Accommodation centres will have a range of on-site services and will provide for transport where necessary.