Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Oral Statement of 29 March 2023 by the Minister for Immigration, on Illegal Migration Update, Official Report, column 1018, whether his Department is aware of any issues related to (a) single living accommodation and (b) service family accommodation in military bases to be used to house asylum seekers in (i) Essex; (ii) Lincolnshire; (iii) East Sussex and (iv) Catterick.

The accommodation at RAF Scampton and MDP Wethersfield is in various states of repair depending on how recently it has been used. Provision of accommodation for asylum seekers at these sites, including any decisions on use of the existing infrastructure, are a matter for the Home Office. The Home Office is working to bring forward proposals for accommodation in Catterick in due course. The MOD is not in discussion with Home Office regarding any Defence sites in East Sussex.