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Written question asked by Richard Drax (Conservative) on Friday, 5 May 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 May 2023 (named day). It was answered by Robert Jenrick (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 May 2023 on behalf of the Home Office.


Asylum: Portland Port

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to prevent the spread of any infectious diseases in Portland barge; and what assessment she has made of the potential public health impacts of housing asylum seekers in Portland Barge on (a) Dorset Council and (b) Dorset health authority.

Original answer

We take both the welfare of those in our care and our wider public health responsibilities extremely seriously. This includes offering diphtheria vaccines and antibiotics to all asylum seekers on arrival. The Home Office provides 24/7 health facilities at Manston, including trained medical staff and a doctor for all those on site. All asylum seekers undergo a health check upon arrival and, if needed people are taken to hospital for further care.

The vessel will be managed by a specialist and experienced provider, which has a strong track record of providing this kind of accommodation, having managed the two vessels in Scottish ports for the past year.

The answer was corrected by Robert Jenrick (Conservative)

on Friday, 19 May 2023 on behalf of the Home Office.

Corrected answer

We take both the welfare of those in our care and our wider public health responsibilities extremely seriously. This includes offering diphtheria vaccines and antibiotics to all asylum seekers on arrival. At Manston, all asylum seekers are offered diphtheria vaccines and antibiotics upon arrival. The Home Office provides 24/7 health facilities at Manston, including trained medical staff and a doctor for all those on site. All asylum seekers undergo a health check upon arrival and, if needed people are taken to hospital for further care.

The vessel will be managed by a specialist and experienced provider, which has a strong track record of providing this kind of accommodation, having managed the two vessels in Scottish ports for the past year.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
183894
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Asylum Housing Infectious diseases Portland Port
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk