Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Monday, 26 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 October 1999. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Thursday, 21 October 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list all the proposed offices the Immigration Service will operate to deal with asylum seekers benefit and enquiries; what hours they will be open; what estimate he has made of (a) the average and (b) the farthest distance an asylum seeker is likely to have to travel to the nearest office; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the proposed offices the Immigration Service will operate to deal with asylum seekers benefit and inquiries; what hours they will be open; what estimate he has made of (a) the average and (b) the farthest distance an asylum seeker is likely to have to travel to the nearest office; and if he will make a statement. [93983] Mrs. Roche: The Asylum Support Directorate will be located in Quest House and possibly other accommodation in Croydon. Quest House will have a public caller unit to enable asylum seekers, who would otherwise be destitute, to seek support. But the Asylum Support Directorate proposes to grant fund the voluntary sector to arrange for them to provide reception centres at some major ports and at one-stop shops around the country. The locations and opening times of these centres have yet to be determined.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 93983; 336 c618W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Asylum Offices Social security benefits Refugees National Asylum Support Directorate Information services