asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the daily cost to public funds of looking after (a) the 58 Tamils claiming refugee status and (b) the six to whom limited rights of stay have been granted.

[pursuant to his reply, 23 February 1987, c. 28]: The estimated daily cost is about £3,700. The eventual cost to public funds cannot be determined until the cases are resolved as expenses incurred in the custody, accommodation or maintenance of persons removed from the United Kingdom after refusal of entry may be recovered from the owners or agents of the ship of aircraft in which they arrived.