asked Her Majesty's Government:How many applicants for asylum have so far been dispersed from the points at which they originally claimed asylum; to which local authority areas; and what standards are specified for their accommodation. [HL1605]

Information on the number of asylum applicants dispersed is not available in precisely the form requested.Under the interim voluntary dispersal scheme operated by the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government/London Asylum Seekers Consortium, 1,797 households have been offered dispersal since 6 December 1999.The available information shows the number of offers of dispersa made to asylum applicants and their dependants. This information is shown in the table.The standard of accommodation provided under the voluntary dispersal scheme is the responsibility of the local authority supporting the asylum seeker. The relevant standards are the same as those applied when rehousing any homeless residents.Table showing the dispersal offers made to asylum seekers and then dependants who made an asylum application in London or Kent under the interim voluntary dispersal scheme as at 15 March 2000.