HC Deb 08 June 1978 vol 951 cc348-9
4. Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people detained as illegal immigrants have been released pending investigation into their cases in 1976, 1977 and 1978.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Dr. Shirley Summerskill)

The information requested on illegal entrants who have been detained is not readily available on an annual basis. On 22nd May, 35 illegal entrants liable to detention solely under the authority of an immigration officer had been released temporarily while arrangements were being made for their removal or while the Home Office looked into representations made on their behalf.

Mr. Hoyle

Does my hon. Friend agree that most of these people are citizens who have been here since before 1st January 1973 and who have jobs and homes? They are respectable people who have never been in trouble with the law, so that there is no difficulty or danger involved in releasing them. Does my hon. Friend agree that many of them are being treated worse than prisoners who have received sentences? Is she aware that many of them are being detained in their cells for 20 hours a day and are not able to take the one-hour exercise which should be available to them each day?

Dr. Summerskill

I can assure my hon. Friend that temporary admission is granted when there are substantial and compassionate considerations or when it is considered that an illegal entrant is unlikely to disappear. But prison offers the only secure accommodation available.

Sir A. Meyer

Is the Minister aware that security is not a problem in most of these cases? Does she not agree that it should be easy to find alternative ways of ensuring that such people do not evade the law?

Dr. Summerskill

The hon. Member must bear in mind that these people are illegal entrants and that they therefore have a powerful incentive to disappear if they are released.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

Is not my hon. Friend concerned about the length of time that some of those who are charged with offences under the Immigration Act are detained in prison, particularly since a significant proportion of them are subsequently allowed to stay? Can she take urgent steps to speed up the procedures?

Dr. Summerskill

We are taking steps to speed up the procedures. The reason why people are detained for some length of time is that in many cases representations are made by the individual or his representative. That is right, but it prolongs the detention. In many cases there is also delay in securing valid travel documents, particularly when inquiries have to be made abroad about citizenship or nationality.