§ David DavisTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many asylum seekers are housed by the local authorities in(a) the East Riding of Yorkshire and (b) Hull; and how many were housed by each in each month of the last two quarters for which figures are available. [116772]
§ Beverley HughesI have been asked to reply.
The information is not available in the form requested.
934WThe availability of information on the location of asylum seekers in the UK is currently linked to the support the asylum seeker receives. Asylum seekers in the UK either receive support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS), local authorities or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or are supporting themselves.
Information on outstanding asylum cases, initial decision outcomes and asylum case processing times relating to persons in particular areas of the UK is unavailable as are statistics regarding the location of asylum seekers not in receipt of support.
NASS does not disperse asylum seekers to any areas in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The following table shows the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) accommodated by NASS and receiving subsistence only support in Hull as at the end of each quarter since June 20021
As at end of quarter Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation in Hull Number of asylum seekers (including dependants) receiving subsistence only support in Hull2 June 2002 995 3— September 2002 995 3— December 2002 1,010 35 March 2003 940 50 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. These figures exclude cases where support has been ceased. 2 Figures on the location of cases receiving subsistence only support only became available below regional level from December 2002. 3 Figures for subsistence only cases by Local Authority are only available from December 2002. From grant claims sent to the Home Office by local authorities, as at the end of March 2003, there were the following additional number4 of asylum seekers being supported by the local authorities in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire: (Asylum seekers are not necessarily resident in the Local Authority that supports them due to the voluntary dispersal programme which operated prior to NASS).
Local Authority Number of singles supported as at end March 2003 Number of families supported as at end of March 2003 East Riding 5 0 Hull 20 5 Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration 1.html
4 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five. These figures exclude cases where support has been ceased.