{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101680", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101680/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Failed asylum seekers supported under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are provided with accommodation; utilities, household equipment and healthcare are provided free. The Azure Card is provided to enable them to buy food and other items and is uploaded each week to the value of £35.39 for each person in the household. Extra assistance is also provided where necessary, for example by arranging travel to medical appointments and by providing maternity grants for pregnant women.<\/p>

The Government keeps this package of assistance under review but is satisfied that it meets the essential living needs of recipients of section 4 support.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-11T16:51:54.8873949Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they consider that Azure Card users are able to meet their essential living needs; and on what grounds they base their assessment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2502"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101285", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101285/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Failed asylum seekers supported under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are provided with accommodation, utilities, household equipment and free healthcare. A weekly allowance to the value of £35.39 is also provided for each person in the household. The Government is satisfied that this package of support is sufficient to meet their essential needs.<\/p>

It is not currently possible to purchase travel tickets with the Azure card for practical reasons. Accommodation is provided within walking distance of shops and other services and tickets are provided for essential medical appointments.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL2491"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-11T16:56:40.9690138Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they consider those on support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to be able to meet their basic needs from that support alone.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2490"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101286", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101286/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

Failed asylum seekers supported under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are provided with accommodation, utilities, household equipment and free healthcare. A weekly allowance to the value of £35.39 is also provided for each person in the household. The Government is satisfied that this package of support is sufficient to meet their essential needs.<\/p>

It is not currently possible to purchase travel tickets with the Azure card for practical reasons. Accommodation is provided within walking distance of shops and other services and tickets are provided for essential medical appointments.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL2490"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-11T16:56:42.390878Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government why individuals on support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are prohibited from accessing any kind of transportation with the Azure Card.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2491"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100998", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100998/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom.<\/p>

The card is updated each week with credit to the value of £35.39 for each person in the household to enable them to buy enough food and other essential items.<\/p>

The table below lists the retailers that accept the Azure card and the total amounts spent at each of them since it was introduced. The table includes Peacocks, which no longer participates in the card scheme.<\/p>

<\/p>

Retailer Name<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Value (£)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Tesco<\/p><\/td>

20,660,480.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Asda<\/p><\/td>

11,373,929.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Sainsbury's<\/p><\/td>

5,935,535.81<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Morrisons<\/p><\/td>

2,528,626.86<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Boots<\/p><\/td>

2,478,849.23<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Peacock Group<\/p><\/td>

333,709.46<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Co-operative Group Food<\/p><\/td>

250,074.03<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Food City Halal Market<\/p><\/td>

202,813.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Mothercare<\/p><\/td>

39,947.70<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Iceland Foods<\/p><\/td>

38,311.88<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Midlands Co-operative<\/p><\/td>

22,172.05<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Salvation Army<\/p><\/td>

3,544.40<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

British Red Cross<\/p><\/td>

3,380.32<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Masala Bazaar<\/p><\/td>

330.55<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Holland and Barrett<\/p><\/td>

326.68<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>

Information and training materials are provided to the retailers about the terms and conditions attached to the card, which are reviewed and updated regularly.<\/p>

We are aware of some isolated instances where people have been denied purchases, but in the great majority of cases this is because they had insufficient funds on the card to buy the particular items.<\/p>

If there is a defect in the card that means it cannot be used, for example because it has been damaged, arrangements are made to issue vouchers.<\/p>

<\/p>


<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2455"} , {"_value" : "HL2456"} , {"_value" : "HL2458"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-11T17:10:18.432587Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government how many retailers are part of the Azure Card programme; and what is the total amount spent with each retailer since the card's inception.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2454"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100999", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100999/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom.<\/p>

The card is updated each week with credit to the value of £35.39 for each person in the household to enable them to buy enough food and other essential items.<\/p>

The table below lists the retailers that accept the Azure card and the total amounts spent at each of them since it was introduced. The table includes Peacocks, which no longer participates in the card scheme.<\/p>

<\/p>

Retailer Name<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Value (£)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Tesco<\/p><\/td>

20,660,480.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Asda<\/p><\/td>

11,373,929.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Sainsbury's<\/p><\/td>

5,935,535.81<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Morrisons<\/p><\/td>

2,528,626.86<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Boots<\/p><\/td>

2,478,849.23<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Peacock Group<\/p><\/td>

333,709.46<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Co-operative Group Food<\/p><\/td>

250,074.03<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Food City Halal Market<\/p><\/td>

202,813.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Mothercare<\/p><\/td>

39,947.70<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Iceland Foods<\/p><\/td>

38,311.88<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Midlands Co-operative<\/p><\/td>

22,172.05<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Salvation Army<\/p><\/td>

3,544.40<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

British Red Cross<\/p><\/td>

3,380.32<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Masala Bazaar<\/p><\/td>

330.55<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Holland and Barrett<\/p><\/td>

326.68<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>

Information and training materials are provided to the retailers about the terms and conditions attached to the card, which are reviewed and updated regularly.<\/p>

We are aware of some isolated instances where people have been denied purchases, but in the great majority of cases this is because they had insufficient funds on the card to buy the particular items.<\/p>

If there is a defect in the card that means it cannot be used, for example because it has been damaged, arrangements are made to issue vouchers.<\/p>

<\/p>


<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2454"} , {"_value" : "HL2456"} , {"_value" : "HL2458"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-11T17:10:19.8261374Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government why an Azure Card user does not qualify for emergency food vouchers when a technical problem occurs with the card.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2455"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101000", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/101000/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom.<\/p>

The card is updated each week with credit to the value of £35.39 for each person in the household to enable them to buy enough food and other essential items.<\/p>

The table below lists the retailers that accept the Azure card and the total amounts spent at each of them since it was introduced. The table includes Peacocks, which no longer participates in the card scheme.<\/p>

<\/p>

Retailer Name<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Value (£)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Tesco<\/p><\/td>

20,660,480.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Asda<\/p><\/td>

11,373,929.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Sainsbury's<\/p><\/td>

5,935,535.81<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Morrisons<\/p><\/td>

2,528,626.86<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Boots<\/p><\/td>

2,478,849.23<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Peacock Group<\/p><\/td>

333,709.46<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Co-operative Group Food<\/p><\/td>

250,074.03<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Food City Halal Market<\/p><\/td>

202,813.59<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Mothercare<\/p><\/td>

39,947.70<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Iceland Foods<\/p><\/td>

38,311.88<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Midlands Co-operative<\/p><\/td>

22,172.05<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Salvation Army<\/p><\/td>

3,544.40<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

British Red Cross<\/p><\/td>

3,380.32<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Masala Bazaar<\/p><\/td>

330.55<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Holland and Barrett<\/p><\/td>

326.68<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

<\/p>

Information and training materials are provided to the retailers about the terms and conditions attached to the card, which are reviewed and updated regularly.<\/p>

We are aware of some isolated instances where people have been denied purchases, but in the great majority of cases this is because they had insufficient funds on the card to buy the particular items.<\/p>

If there is a defect in the card that means it cannot be used, for example because it has been damaged, arrangements are made to issue vouchers.<\/p>

<\/p>


<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-11-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2454"} , {"_value" : "HL2455"} , {"_value" : "HL2458"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-11-11T17:10:19.9511337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what efforts have been made to ensure that staff at retailers who accept the Azure Card are educated about the card\u2019s rules and do not deny card users purchases which they are entitled to make.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2456"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100071", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100071/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.<\/p>

<\/p>

The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee\u2019s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2278"} , {"_value" : "HL2279"} , {"_value" : "HL2280"} , {"_value" : "HL2281"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-28T15:17:54.1853177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have assessed the effectiveness of the combination of the Azure payment card and support under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 in enabling refused asylum seekers to meet their basic needs.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2277"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100072", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100072/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.<\/p>

<\/p>

The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee\u2019s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2277"} , {"_value" : "HL2279"} , {"_value" : "HL2280"} , {"_value" : "HL2281"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-28T15:17:55.3415588Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what plans they have to abolish the Azure payment card and amend legislation to enable the provision of cash support for all refused asylum seekers until they are either given status in the United Kingdom or return to their country of origin.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2278"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100073", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100073/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.<\/p>

<\/p>

The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee\u2019s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2277"} , {"_value" : "HL2278"} , {"_value" : "HL2280"} , {"_value" : "HL2281"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-28T15:17:55.7481075Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government how much they have spent on administering the Azure card system since its inception.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2279"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100074", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/100074/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "

The Azure card is issued to destitute failed asylum seekers accommodated under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 because they are temporarily unable to leave the United Kingdom. The card can be used at most of the main supermarket chains to purchase food and other essential items. The performance of the card is kept under regular review but the Government is satisfied that it is an effective way of ensuring that recipients are able to meet their essential living needs and are not left destitute.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government therefore has no plans to abolish the card or change legislation to allow people supported under section 4 to receive cash instead.<\/p>

<\/p>

The total administrative costs of the card scheme since it was introduced in 2009 are approximately £1,515,000. Estimated administrative costs for the current financial year are £200,000.<\/p>

<\/p>

The Government published its response to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee report about asylum procedures in December 2013 (cm 8769). A response to the Committee\u2019s views on section 4 support was set out on page 18-19.<\/p>

<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-10-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL2277"} , {"_value" : "HL2278"} , {"_value" : "HL2279"} , {"_value" : "HL2281"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-10-28T15:17:56.0405779Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Finance"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what is their forecast annual cost for administering the Azure card payment scheme in the coming year.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3691", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Roberts of Llandudno"} ], "uin" : "HL2280"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&hansardHeading=Asylum%3A+Finance&max-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2014-11-11T17%3A10%3A19.9511337Z", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 17, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }