Written question asked by Lord Brooke of Sutton Mandeville (Conservative) on Thursday, 3 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Barbara Roche (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of (a) the number of asylum seekers dispersed throughout the UK, (b) the number who are locating in London and (c) the number being offered accommodation by the Refugee Council on behalf of the NASS. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of (a) the number of asylum seekers dispersed throughout the UK, (b) the number who are locating in London and (c) the number being offered accommodation by the Refugee Council on behalf of the National Asylum Support Service. [160793] Mrs. Roche: As at the end of March 2001, 23,530{1} asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated accommodation by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and 13,470{1} (including dependants) were allocated voucher-only support by NASS. Of the above, 520{1} were allocated accommodation in London and 9,420{1} of those allocated voucher-only support were staying in London. It is NASS policy to offer asylum seekers accommodation outside London and the south-east. However, in special circumstances, such as medical problems, some asylum seekers are allocated accommodation in London. As at 27 April 2001, the Refugee Council was accommodating 5,230{1} asylum seekers (including dependants) in emergency accommodation on behalf of NASS. Of these, 4,410{1} were in London. {1} Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

Secondary information