HC Deb 15 January 1974 vol 867 cc75-6W
Mr. Dell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what reason there is for the increase in 1972 as compared with 1971 in the receptions into prison of persons committed under the Aliens Orders 1920–53 and Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962–68 ; whether the trend is continuing in 1973 ; what action he is taking to ensure that wherever possible such persons are released pending a decision in their cases ; and whether he will make a statement ;

(2) how many of the 1,161 persons committed to prison in 1972 under the Aliens Orders 1920–53 and the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962–68 were subsequently released before a decision was made on their cases ; and whether he will give the information separately for men and for women ;

(3) what information he has on the duration of imprisonment of persons committed to prison under the Aliens Orders 1920–53 and the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts 1962–68 ;

(4) how many persons liable to be committed to prison or remand homes under the Aliens Orders 1920–53 and the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962–68 were allowed to remain at liberty before a decision was made on their cases ; and whether he will give the information separately for men, women and children ;

(5) what information he has as to the disposal of persons committed to prison or remand homes under the Aliens Orders 1920–53 and the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts 1962–68 ; and whether he will give the information separately for men, women and children.

Mr. Carlisle

The increase during recent years in the numbers of people subject to immigration control who have had to be detained temporarily in prison is due to a wide variety of reasons, including a substantial increase in the number seeking admission to the United Kingdom, an increase in the number attempting to obtain entry without proper documents, and an increase in the number of illegal entrants apprehended. When possible such people are released pending a decision, but often this would not be justifiable. Every effort is made to deal with cases as quickly as possible but decisions are often delayed by representations or the exercise of rights of appeal.

I regret that the detailed information requested is either not available or could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.