HC Deb 16 October 1969 vol 788 cc591-3
27. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is the normal practice to house entrants into Great Britain in prison during the period when the question of their right to enter is being examined; how many have been treated in this way; how many have been allowed to go to an hotel pending the authorities' decision; and if he will make a statement.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Merlyn Rees)

Passengers detained under examination or pending departure must be removed to prison, a remand centre or a remand home after five days, and may be removed before this at the discretion of the immigration officer. I am circulating figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Pavitt

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is causing considerable concern among international committees like that in my constituency concerned with integration? Is he aware, too, that there seems to be discrimination between white Rhodesians, who are given one sort of treatment, and coloured immigrants from the Commonwealth? Will he look at this aspect?

Mr. Rees

I will certainly look at that last point if I am given evidence of it, but I am not aware of it. I would like to make it clear that there is no power under the law at present to release immigrants on bail. Under the new appeal system next year, the situation will be different.

Mr. Lubbock

Does it not seem wrong to the hon. Gentleman that people who are accused of no offence in this country, such as Mr. Ashaq Hussein and Mr. Williams a few weeks ago, should be detained in prison and treated like criminals? Could not the Home Office arrange for facilities to be provided so that in an increasing number of these cases people can at least exist in comfort during their stay in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Rees

Under the new legislation, we hope to deal with this situation next year. All I can say to the hon. Member is that in the one case which he has mentioned, when the matter went to the courts it was ruled that the Home Office had acted perfectly properly. In the context of the law that is the case.

Following are the figures:

PASSENGERS DETAINED JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER, 1969
Aliens Commonwealth citizens
Prisons 18 90
Remand homes — 9
Remand centres 2 20
A passenger may sometimes be allowed to go to an hotel, but statistics are not available.