To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to her written ministerial statement of 31 January 2008, Official Report, columns 28-9WS, on care for children in the immigration system, how much extra funding will be allocated to local authorities that will be part of the specialist network looking after unaccompanied child asylum seekers; and whether her Department's central funding will cover the full costs incurred by the local authorities. (184737)

The amount of funding available to local authorities who wish to be specialist authorities will be agreed in advance. Funding will be based on the costs the specialist authority incurs directly in supporting the care and accommodation needs of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.