Written question asked by Michael Moore (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 12 March 2010. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Repatriation: Finance

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used to decide whether a country receives funding from the Returns and Reintegration Fund; what role the (a) Department for International Development and (b) UK Border Agency play in the management of the fund; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The overall aim of the Returns and Reintegration Fund (RRF) is to increase significantly the number of foreign national prisoners (FNP) and failed asylum seekers (FAS) who return to their countries of origin and to ensure their effective reintegration into their home communities. Funding is therefore allocated to countries where we can run projects that will bring about an increase in the rate of return of FAS and FNPs.The Returns and Reintegration Fund is managed by a cross-Government senior official steering group, which is accountable to Ministers. Senior officials from the Department for International Development and UK Border Agency are members of that steering group.

Secondary information