§ 7. Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been kept at Ashford remand centre deportation block during 1983; and what was the minimum and maximum general length of stay.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe information readily available relates to 1982. In that year, about 700 people were received into Ashford remand centre under the Immigration Act 1971. The average length of detention under the Act for persons discharged from all prison department establishments in England and Wales was about four and a half weeks. Equivalent information is not yet available for 1983.
§ Mr. AtkinsonI appreciate that the multiplicity of religions and languages at Ashford probably leads to food problems, but is it not time to investigate the many complaints made about poor standards of food and cleanliness there? If people are to stay there on an average of four and a half weeks, is it not necessary to give not-convicted prisoners reasonable conditions for their stay?
§ Mr. WaddingtonI confess that such complaints have not been brought to my attention, but now that they have been mentioned by the hon. Gentleman I shall certainly look into the matter. If he wishes to pass on any specific complaints made to him, I assure him they will be looked into with the greatest care.
§ Mr. StanbrookHow many inmates at Ashford have had their periods of detention prolonged because of interference by Members of Parliament in the due process of their cases?
§ Mr. WaddingtonI would not call it interference, because Members of Parliament have the right to make representations in those cases. Prolonged representations often lead to people remaining in custody for longer than one would wish.