§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the programme for introducing a network of induction centres. [177928]
§ Mr. BrowneThe Government are continuing with plans to establish a network of induction centres as set out in the White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain" (CM 5387) which was published on 7 February 2002. The aim is to have a network of induction centres established by the end of 2004. preferred method of procurement is working in partnership with local authorities.
Two induction centres are already operating successfully. The Dover Induction Centre opened in January 2002. The Yorkshire and Humberside Induction Centre opened in June 2003. The Home Office has also signed a contract, for induction processes and accommodation for 200–300 asylum seekers, in the Greater Manchester area. This service will be operational in the summer.
The network of induction centres will include a broader range of models than originally defined in the White Paper. This allows local authorities to provide induction arrangements that are sensitive to local circumstances. In Greater Manchester the accommodation and resources that will be used for induction are spread across a wide 1375W geographical area and wherever possible existing accommodation used to house asylum seekers will be utilised. There will be no overall increase in asylum seekers staying in the region.