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Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how NASS (a) monitors and (b) inspects the accommodation into which they place (i) asylum seekers and (ii) refugees; and if he will place the latest inspection report in the Library. [17716]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) provides accommodation for asylum seekers. It is not responsible for providing accommodation to those who have been accepted as refugees. The NASS Housing Management Team conducts random inspections of properties throughout the country on a weekly basis. These inspections assess the quality of accommodation provided and highlight any maintenance issues requiring remedial action. The Contractor is required to take action within specified timescales and follow up inspections are undertaken to ensure that repairs have been completed satisfactorily.
The NASS Housing Management Team has close liaison with contract managers who undertake similar tasks, as well as ensuring that contractual obligations are met.
Apart from inspections conducted by its own staff NASS also commissions inspections of accommodation by third party consultants.
I am unable to provide details of inspection reports as these are commercially confidential.
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees placed by NASS in accommodation outside the Greater London area have returned to the Greater London area within the past 12 months. [17715]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 23 November 2001]: The information requested is not available.
The National Asylum Support Service only supports asylum seekers. Refugees who require support can apply for support from social services.
Currently information linking the movements of NASS supported asylum seekers within the United Kingdom is not available.
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) asylum seekers and (b) refugees have been placed by the NASS in (a) private sector, (b) local authority and (c) housing association accommodation since April 2000, broken down by region. [17724]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 23 November 2001]: Information is not available in the form requested.
The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) only supports asylum seekers. Refugees who require support can apply for support from the Benefits Agency.
As at the end of July 2001, 28,810 1 asylum seekers including dependants were being supported in NASS accommodation. The regional breakdown is in the table.
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Region | Asylum seekers supported in NASS accommodation as at end July 2001(10) |
---|---|
East of England | 1,630 |
East Midlands | 200 |
Greater London | 680 |
North East | 4,240 |
North West | 6,190 |
Northern Ireland | 50 |
Scotland | 3,890 |
South Central | 390 |
South West | 540 |
Wales | 370 |
West Midlands | 4,410 |
Yorkshire and Humberside | 6,230 |
(10) All figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and exclude cases that have had their support ceased
Information on the type of accommodation in which asylum seekers are housed is currently not available.
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training is given to Benefits Agency staff to deal with aggressive claimants. [11114]
Mr. Nicholas Brown: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Hywel Williams, dated 26 November 2001:
Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will explain the delay by the Child Support Agency in dealing with the case of Ms Elaine Lanchbury, a constituent. [12832]
Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 26 November 2001:
27 Nov 2001 : Column: 826W
Mr. Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement about the time taken to award contracts by the Child Support Agency for undertaking bailiff action. [12833]
Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 26 November 2001:
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many cases have been referred by Members of the Scottish Parliament to the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit of the Benefits Agency (a) directly and (b) indirectly; [18228]
(3) how many Benefits Agency issues received by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit have been resolved by the Scottish Parliamentary Liaison Unit. [18230]
Mr. Nicholas Brown: This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Angus Robertson, dated 26 November 2001:
27 Nov 2001 : Column: 827W
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