Written question asked by Lord Fearn (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 19 April 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 May 2000. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Thursday, 18 May 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his Department has compiled a list of postcodes to be avoided in the dispersal of asylum seekers' programmes.

Answer: Mr. Fearn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has compiled a list of postcodes to be avoided in the dispersal of asylum seekers' programmes. [120632] Mrs. Roche: Asylum seekers who are supported by the National Asylum Support Service will be dispersed to cluster areas around the country. Our intention is to ensure that the cluster areas are suitable for asylum seekers taking into account, inter alia, the views of local authorities. In some cases, local authorities may advise that particular areas may not be suitable for asylum seekers and they may identify such areas by post-code. That information would be taken into consideration in determining whether to accept any accommodation for asylum seekers if offered in that area.

Secondary information