Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department's spending plans are based on a continuing reduction in the number of asylum applications.

Answer: Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department's spending plans are based on a continuing reduction in the number of asylum applications. [196589] Mr. Browne: The Department's spending plans are based on an assessment of the likely future costs of the immigration and asylum system. We have more than halved the number of asylum applications since October 2002. However, the spending plans are not primarily based on a continuing reduction in the number of asylum applications, but do take into account the published aim to reduce the number of unfounded asylum applications.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 196589; 426 c1579-80W;426 c1582-3W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Asylum Applications Cost effectiveness Expenditure Ministry of Defence
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk