To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what National Asylum Support Services contract costs were paid to Newcastle city council in (a) 2004-05, (b) 2005-06 and (c) 2006-07; and how much is expected to be paid in 2007-08. (178068)

The Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) has in place a contract with NECARS (the North East Consortium for Asylum and Refugee Support) for which the lead authority is Newcastle city council. The BIA does not hold a separate contract for asylum support with Newcastle city council.