Clause 39 - Choice of form of support
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill
12:00 pm
Mr Richard Allan (Sheffield, Hallam, Liberal Democrat)
I am referring to individuals who have suffered persecution, making isolation a particular hardship for them. If evidence of torture is clear—the Medical Foundation mentioned this previously—such individuals may have a stronger requirement to be housed in a particular community than someone who has not suffered in that way. We discussed the fact that asylum seekers may have a stronger argument against being dispersed to inappropriate surroundings if they can provide clear evidence that they suffered persecution and degrading treatment at home. I hope that they can put that argument under the clause that deals with their choice of housing.
Amendment No. 218 would provide that the Secretary of State must, rather than may, have regard to individual circumstances.