To ask the Secretary of State for Justice where potential victims of trafficking are accommodated whilst their case is assessed by the competent authority under the national referral mechanism. (309602)

Potential victims of trafficking are able to access specialist supported accommodation from the time a referral is made into the national referral mechanism (NRM). This accommodation may be provided by the Government-funded service provider—the Poppy Project, or by other third sector organisations. This support is available throughout the NRM process. Additionally, victims that claim asylum are eligible for asylum support and may be accommodated by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). Potential victims of trafficking under the age of 18 are accommodated by local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many safe accommodation beds for victims of human trafficking his Department plans to fund over the next three years. (309603)

The Government have invested £3.9 million over two years (2009-10 to 2010-11) in specialist services for victims of all forms of human trafficking. This investment provides 54 safe accommodation beds on a rolling basis through the Poppy Project, and includes flexible support and safe accommodation arrangements for victims of trafficking for forced labour. The success of these arrangements will inform funding decisions for the 2011-12 period and beyond.