Clause 35 - Destitute asylum-seeker
Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill
11:15 am
Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North, Labour)
I beg to move amendment No. 152, in page 18, line 25, at end insert—
'(3B) The Secretary of State shall make arrangements with local housing authorities, social services authorities, health and education authorities and other relevant agencies to promote the resettlement of those recognised as refugees under the Refugee Convention 1951, and those granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
(3C) For the purposes of subsection (3B), resettlement may include assistance in securing accommodation, welfare benefits, health, community care and education services.'.
I shall be brief, because the amendment is designed only to ask the Minister for clarification about the arrangements that she has in mind for the permanent resettlement of asylum seekers who go through the accommodation centre process and are given leave to remain, with their place of residence being at the accommodation centre. As we know, successive asylum Acts—including, in different ways, both the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999—left it unclear which authority carries the responsibility for those who receive leave to remain, particularly concerning duties under the Housing Acts. That complication should be cleared up as soon as possible, so will she explain her thinking on the permanent resettlement arrangements?