§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many proposed negative decisions under section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 have been referred to his Department's legal officers for confirmation since 18 March 2003; and what is the estimated cost to his Department to date of this practice; [106613]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2003 to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey, Official Report, column 711W, when he plans to release statistics on the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; [106612]
(3) how many persons refused NASS support under section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 since 18 March 2003 have subsequently re-applied for such support, having failed to obtain alternative means of support from charitable or other sources; and how many such applications have been successful. [106615]
§ Beverley HughesSection 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, came into force on 8 January 2003. Subject to quality assurance of the data, it is planned to publish information on the operation of section 55 within the quarterly asylum statistics at the end of May 2003.
The Home Office's Legal Advisor's Branch has provided legal support for the operation of section 55. Any legal costs incurred have been subsumed within normal salary costs.
§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information on where to seek charitable or other support is given by NASS to those refused NASS support under section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. [106614]
§ Beverley HughesInformation on alternative support arrangements that may be provided by charities and other organisations is widely available to asylum applicants refused by the National Asylum Support Service support under section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Advice on specific options in the area and sources of further information is given on request.