HC Deb 06 July 1978 vol 953 cc638-9
9. Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make available to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants special funds additional to its present income for the purpose of providing adequate advice facilities and legal support for those people detained at an attempted port of entry into the United Kingdom and for those citizens threatened with deportation.

Mr. John

Any request for such funds would be considered.

Mr. Atkinson

I am grateful for that encouraging reply. Does my hon. Friend acknowledge that, with the intensification of immigration control, much of the appeals procedure is being stretched to the limit and, indeed, much is now going by default because there are insufficient counsellors able to advise immigrants on their appeal rights? Does my hon. Friend recognise also that most Members of Parliament who have these problems in their constituencies are now so overwhelmed by the number of cases that some additional facilities will have to be made available so that they may adequately advise their constituents and use professionals to take these cases to the appeals procedure? Will the Minister make facilities and amenities available to Members in order that this may be proceeded with?

Mr. John

I think that, first, my hon. Friend would be well advised to talk to the JCWI about whether it wants a grant, because hitherto its view has been that it wanted neither a grant nor facilities in this matter. As for being overwhelmed, as someone who has come new into this field I quite understand the point that my hon. Friend makes, but there is no evidence that appellants are being unrepresented through lack of funds. If the JCWI makes an application for a grant, we shall consider it.

Sir A. Meyer

Is there any connection between shortage of funds or policemen and the fact that the detention centre for immigrants at Harmondsworth has been farmed out to a commercial security organisation?

Mr. John

No, Sir.