HC Deb 23 October 2002 vol 391 cc329-30W
Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources are(a) available and (b) planned for local authorities with the duty to provide integration strategies for asylum seekers granted exceptional leave to remain. [73690]

Beverley Hughes

The Secretary of State is empowered under Section 110 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to pay grants to organisations in respect of expenditure incurred in connection with persons who are or have been asylum seekers and their dependants. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) may grant fund Regional Consortia for their enabling role in providing services and support for asylum seekers dispersed to their region. A grant agreement exists between NASS and the Regional Consortia to facilitate payment, a key element of which is to develop, implement and deliver a strategy for resettlement and integration for those who are granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

The enabling grant is payable for each financial year and is increased proportionately to cover the costs of the enabling authority.

Additionally, the Home Office has distributed £1.5 million through the Refugee Integration Challenge Fund of which around £340,000 has been given to local authorities in order that they may implement pilot projects in the field of refugee integration. Around £1.7 million of the European Refugee Fund 2002, provided by the European Commission, has also been awarded to local authorities for similar projects. It is the intention that these projects will be robustly evaluated in order to identify good practice and so inform future policy making.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to start his support package to help asylum seekers to return voluntarily to Afghanistan; what he anticipates will be the cost in the first six months of its operation; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes

The support package announced on 20 August 2002 is fully operational. The costs of the programme include the resettlement grant payment, flight costs and funding for implementing agencies who will counsel returnees and arrange their return. The cost of this programme depends on the number of participants, and sufficient funds are available for up to 1000 returns.

The Government are fully committed to assisting in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and packages such as this will be an important element in fulfilling that commitment, enabling the return of Afghans to their country and their subsequent re-integration to be managed in an orderly and beneficial way.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the French Government about identifying in France those asylum seekers who might have a valid claim in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [75427]

Beverley Hughes

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has had wide-ranging discussions with his French counterpart on the problem of illegal immigration, including the practicalities of implementing their welcome commitment to closing the Sangatte centre. But the general principle is that asylum claims made in France are dealt with by the French authorities.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of discussions with the UNHCR and others concerning the new gateway for those seeking to settle in Britain. [75428]

Beverley Hughes

As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 7 October, we are working to develop our resettlement gateway, which will start in April 2003. The United Kingdom is a regular attendee at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) resettlement working group, and we continue to discuss positively with UNHCR the establishment of our programme.

Official level discussions have taken place with other Government departments in order that the impact of the scheme on them is fully taken into account during its development and implementation. These will continue, as will our contact with the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector.