To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in receipt of section 4 support have been receiving it for a period longer than (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years, (d) five years and (e) 10 years. (264019)

As at 14 June 2009 9,354 people, excluding dependants, are recorded as having been on section 4 support for over six months, of whom 7,598 had been on section 4 support for over one year and 5,106 for over two years. These figures are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information. They are therefore provisional and subject to change.

Information is not available on the number of persons on section 4 support for over five years and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No person has been on section 4 support for over 10 years as this support for failed asylum seekers became effective from 7 November 2002.