Written question asked by Clive Betts (Labour) on Thursday, 5 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, from which countries, other than Iraq, Zimbabwe and Somalia, asylum seekers can claim hard case support if their claims are refused on appeal. - (Holding answer 12 February 2004).

Answer: Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which countries, other than Iraq, Zimbabwe and Somalia, asylum seekers can claim hard case support if their claims are refused on appeal. [154336] Beverley Hughes: [holding answer 12 February 2004]: As a matter policy accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (hard case support) may be provided to failed asylum seekers who are unable to leave immediately due to circumstances entirely beyond their control. Currently accommodation will be provided to Kurds from the Kurdish Autonomous Zone of Iraq because until recently there was no viable route of return. Now that Kurds from Iraq can leave under the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme the policy of providing accommodation is being reviewed. It is possible for nationals of Zimbabwe and Somalia to make a voluntary return and accommodation will be provided only where they are seeking to return but cannot do so immediately. No other countries are routinely provided with accommodation if their claims for asylum are finally refused.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c226-7W; 154336
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Asylum Applications Housing Iraq Temporary accommodation Zimbabwe Somalia
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk