National Asylum Support Service Scheme

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asked Her Majesty's Government:In respect of the National Asylum Support Service scheme for accommodating asylum seekers—

(a) what has been the average occupancy of accommodation paid for under the scheme;

(b) how much accommodation was pre-booked by the scheme, and what is its percentage occupancy;

(c) how many accommodation units are currently allocated to individuals but are not in fact occupied, and what is the cost of such accommodation in total; and

(d) what proportion of short-term holding accommodation has been occupied by the same individuals for more than (i) three months and (ii) six months. [HL133]

As of 20 December 2000, 79 per cent of property under contract to the National Asylum Support Service was occupied.All accommodation used by the National Asylum Support Service is pre-booked. This is a necessary operational requirement to ensure that sufficient accommodation units are available to meet demand.At the end of November 2000, 15,200 asylum seekers were allocated to accommodation by the National Asylum Support Service. Accommodation providers are obliged through their contract to advise the National Asylum Support Service of all instances of asylum seekers being absent from allocated accommodation for more than seven days. All reported instances are investigated by the National Asylum Support Service and appropriate action taken. This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The proportion of short-term holding accommodation held by individuals for more than three months and six months is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Volume 620: debated on Monday 15 January 2001