asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many unsuccessful asylum applicants who cannot return to their home country are currently receiving hard case support under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.[HL6834]

At the end of March 2006 there were 5,435 failed asylum seekers in receipt of Section 4 support. The number of failed asylum seekers supported under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 is published on a quarterly and annual basis. The next publication covering the second quarter of 2006 will be published on 22 August 2006, and will be available on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What happened to the 37 per cent of those asylum seekers who were refused the support they applied for under Section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.[HL6835]

The information requested is not currently available as there are no central records kept on the movements of people whose applications for Section 4 support have been refused.