§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who determined the criteria for the selection of proposed sites for asylum accommodation centres. [54099]
§ Angela EagleThe criteria for proposed site selection was determined by the Home Office and was outlined in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 7 February 2002,Official Report, column 1134W.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will send written details to(a) Wychavon district council and (b) Worcestershire county council on the proposed asylum accommodation centre at Throckmorton. [42803]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 12 March 2002]: I apologise for the delay in answering this question, caused by an administrative oversight in my Department. We will make an announcement in the proposed use of the site shortly.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of locating asylum accommodation centres in(a) rural, (b) suburban and (c) urban sites; what discussions he has had with EU counterparts on the location of asylum accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement. [54035]
§ Angela EagleOur policy is to site accommodation centres in non-urban areas in order to reduce the overall burden placed upon local services in urban areas. Each potential accommodation centre site will be assessed on its merits. We have not discussed the location of United Kingdom asylum accommodation centres with our European Union counterparts, but we are drawing on the European experience as we develop our plans.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how asylum seekers who have resided at asylum accommodation centres and are accepted for permanent settlement will be allocated permanent addresses in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [54036]
§ Angela EagleAny asylum seeker who is granted refugee status has the freedom to live wherever he or she wishes in the United Kingdom, in the same way as somebody already resident here. The Government will explore with local authorities and others options for those leaving accommodation centres with positive decisions and subsequent integration into United Kingdom society.
330W
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent assessment is of the implications for local emergency services of the establishment of asylum accommodation centres in their service areas; and if he will make a statement. [54101]
§ Angela EagleI refer the hon. Member to my reply of 5 February 2002,Official Report, column 880W.