Written question asked by Louise Ellman (Labour) on Friday, 5 October 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 October 2001. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 18 October 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the value of contracts is awarded to (a) the private sector, (b) local authorities and (c) the voluntary sector in relation to the Government's dispersal scheme for asylum seekers; and how many individuals have been accommodated by each sector. - Inc fact that information requested in first part of question is unavailable.

Answer: Mrs. Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value of contracts is awarded to (a) the private sector, (b) local authorities and (c) the voluntary sector in relation to the Government's dispersal scheme for asylum seekers; and how many individuals have been accommodated by each sector. [7412] Angela Eagle: I am unable to supply information on the value of individual contracts between National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and its suppliers. This information is commercial in confidence and cannot be released to third parties. I am afraid that the NASS statistics do not show whether asylum seekers and their dependants are being accommodated by the private sector, local authorities or the voluntary sector. However I can say that approximately 60 per cent. of bedspaces are provided by private sector companies and the remainder by local authorities and the voluntary sector.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7412; 372 c1324W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Contracts Asylum Housing Local government Private sector Voluntary organisations
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk