HC Deb 18 March 2002 vol 382 cc95-6W
John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) of 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 160W, on asylum seeker accommodation centres, what health facilities will be made available to asylum seekers; and what role (a) local hospitals and (b) other health institutions will be expected to take in the provision of such health care. [42728]

Angela Eagle

Asylum seekers will be provided with primary healthcare on site. Any secondary healthcare needs will be provided for at local hospitals or other health institutions.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department contacted City of Edinburgh Council to inform them that RAF Turnhouse was being considered as a potential site for an asylum seeker accommodation centre; by what means the information was conveyed; and if he will place the correspondence in the Library. [42731]

Angela Eagle

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) on 11 March 2002,Official Report, column 719W. A copy of the original letter will be placed in the Library.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the first asylum seeker accommodation centres to be opened. [42738]

Angela Eagle

The aim is that the first centre should open as soon as possible, but a date for this to happen has yet to be settled.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the transport facilities available for asylum seekers housed in an accommodation centre at Turnhouse in Edinburgh. [42732]

Angela Eagle

Transport implications will form a part of the planning process for the trial accommodation centres. We will provide for transport for residents where necessary.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) of 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 160W, on asylum seeker accommodation centres, what purposeful activities he envisages asylum seekers will undertake through volunteering. [42726]

Angela Eagle

No final decisions have yet been taken so I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 159W.

John Barrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what freedom asylum seekers who are housed in the proposed new accommodation centres will have to leave the sites. [42725]

Angela Eagle

Asylum seekers who are housed in accommodation centres will be subject to residence and reporting requirements but will otherwise be able to come and go.

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