asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many unaccompanied children arrived in England and Wales, for whom an asylum claim has been made, in each quarter or month of the last two years for which figures are available; and which were the principal countries from which they came. [HL375]

Asylum seekers apply to be granted refugee status in the UK rather than specifically in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Asylum applications data are not available at regional level.

Information on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children is published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the care and education of unaccompanied children, granted asylum or long-term leave to remain, are a national responsibility. [HL412]

Support of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, but central government funding from both the Department for Education and Skills and the Home Office is available for this purpose.