§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pilot accommodation centres for asylum seekers he is seeking to secure; when they will be identified; when they will be announced; and when they will be operational. [52347]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 April 2002]: In respect of the number of pilot accommodation centres we are seeking to secure I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 160W.
In respect of the identification, announcement and operation of these sites, I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 781W, and to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) on 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 97W.
§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the development of all asylum seekers accommodation centres will require planning consent. [52350]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 April 2002]: Planning consent will be required in every case.
§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how it is proposed that planning applications for asylum seekers' accommodation centres will be handled. [52349]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 April 2002]: Planning notifications will be submitted under the terms of Circular 18–84, which covers developments by Government Departments on Crown property. In every case there will be full consultation with the local authorities and local communities.
§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he proposes to issue to private companies proposing asylum seeker accommodation centres as to the standards expected of them in their relations with local communities and representative bodies. [52356]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 April 2002]: We cannot set standards for organisations prior to their involvement formally in arrangements for the delivery of accommodation centres. However, those invited to bid would be expected to do so in accordance with normally expected standards.
§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what characteristics he seeks in the sites suitable for asylum seekers' accommodation centres. [52348]
898W
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 April 2002]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 7 February 2002, Official Report, column 1134W.
§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to provide information to local communities where proposals to develop asylum seeker accommodation centres are made. [52355]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 25 April 2002]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes (Shona McIsaac) on 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 900W.
§ Peter BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many expressions of interest he has received from(a) private landowners and (b) private sector prospective operators of asylum seeker accommodation centres. [52352]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 April 2002]: The information requested is commercially confidential.