To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of asylum seekers who had been waiting more than two months to be paid section 4 support at 31 July 2008. (223328)

[holding answer 10 September 2008]: Provision for failed asylum seekers eligible for support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is in the form of accommodation and vouchers. Cash payments are not made.

No decision was recorded on or before 31 July in respect of 101 applications made before 1 June 2008 for support under section 4.

This is based on management information which is subject to change.