HC Deb 17 October 2002 vol 390 cc933-4W
Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 23 July, Ref 56636, if there is a backlog in the National Asylum Support Agency dealing with correspondence; and what the average deviation is from the last three and ten working day targets. [73929]

Beverley Hughes

[holding answer 15 October 2002]The Operations Section of the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) is currently receiving an average of 1,800 letters per week which have a target of three days for completion. These are requests for payment of the additional single payment and replacement certificates to enable supported asylum seekers to receive free prescriptions etc. Officials are meeting the three day target for processing these applications.

In addition the Operations Section is receiving an average of 1,400 items of correspondence relating to more complex issues such as requests to be relocated. Currently there are 2,000 cases which have not been finally resolved. But all have received action within the 10 day target and cannot be finally resolved because of the need to obtain additional information.

Ms Coffey

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he has made for the return to Afghanistan of those not in need of international protection. [75902]

Beverley Hughes

A Tripartite Agreement by the Government, the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was signed on Saturday 12 October 2002 in Kabul following the successful conclusion of negotiations. The Agreement provides for return to Afghanistan in a managed and phased manner of those who have been established to have no protection needs. The United Kingdom is fully committed to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. As part of this it is important that return to Afghanistan is sustainable and the Agreement commits the United Kingdom Government to providing support to those returning, in Afghanistan, to ensure they are able to reestablish themselves in their homeland.

Jonathan Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how pregnant women who are seeking asylum are informed of their eligibilty for the maternity grant; and how many claimed the grant in the last 12 months; [73973]

(2) how asylum seekers are informed how to claim the £50 one-off payment to which they are entitled after six months; and what proportion claimed this in the last 12 months. [73972]

Beverley Hughes

Information on eligibility for all support payments including the £50 additional single payment and the £300 maternity payment is given to asylum seekers by voluntary organisations grant funded by the Home Office. This information will also form an integral part of the briefing given to all asylum seekers whilst they are going through the Induction Centre process.

Information on maternity payments can also be found on the Home Office web-site.

Information is not held centrally on the number of applications made for additional single payments or payment of maternity grant. Information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.