Written question asked by Caroline Spelman (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 February 2005. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 February 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much central government grant has been paid to local authorities in (a) each Government Office region, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland to cover the cost of asylum seeker support in each year since 1996-97. (Table in Library Dep 05/322).

Answer: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department show much central Government grant has been paid to local authorities in (a) each Government Office region, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland to cover the cost of asylum seeker support in each year since 1996-97. [211920] Mr. Browne: The information is not available in the precise format requested. The Home Office assumed responsibility for the support of adult and family asylum seekers on 1 April 1999. Responsibility for the budget for unaccompanied asylum seeking children did not transfer to the Home Office until 1 April 2000. Available information for the years 1999-2000 to 2001-02 is in the table and will be placed in the Library. For Scotland NASS paid the Scottish Executive who were responsible for reimbursing local authorities. Payments to Northern Ireland were made to the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety. That Department is responsible for reimbursing to local authorities their costs of supporting asylum seekers.

Secondary information