To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that any new proposals for charging arrangements relating to the treatment of children entering the UK and applying for asylum status are not implemented prior to debate in the House following the end of the consultation period currently underway. (136544)

[holding answer 9 May 2007]: The consultation paper that we published on 1 March: “Planning Better Outcomes and Support for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children”, outlined a number of changes to immigration and support arrangements for these young people. Some of these changes are already being progressed following consultation with the relevant stakeholders. An example is an improved and faster process for determining their asylum claims. The paper proposes further reforms, including plans to locate greater numbers of the young people outside the south-east of England. The consultation period ends on 31 May. We will consider carefully all responses to the consultation and the most appropriate way to set out our conclusions and plans for implementation.