To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2008, Official Report, column 806W, on immigration: housing, what the cost of providing assistance to local authorities through the transitional costs fund was; which local authorities have received such assistance; and how much was received in each case. (196268)

[holding answer 25 March 2008]: A ‘transitional costs fund’ has been made available where unavoidable, additional expenses have occurred. Local authorities need to submit claims to this fund. Claims will then be assessed on an individual basis and local authorities will be reimbursed appropriately. As yet, this work is not complete.