Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum seekers have been dispersed through local authorities; and if his Department plans to use local authorities for this purpose in respect of new asylum seekers. - Includes fact that there is no information held centrally on the number of asylum seekers dispersed by local authorities under the interim dispersal scheme.

Answer: Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been dispersed through local authorities; and if his Department plans to use local authorities for this purpose in respect of new asylum seekers. [160855] Mrs. Roche: There is no information held centrally on the number of asylum seekers dispersed by local authorities under the interim dispersal scheme. The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has entered into contracts with a number of local authorities by which they supply accommodation for asylum seekers supported by NASS and the aim is to continue to do so.

Secondary information