§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those held in custody so far in 1977 while awaiting deportation under the provisions of the Immigration Act were subsequently allowed to stay in the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. SummerskillUp to 30th November, 62 people had been released after being held in custody under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 relating to deportation.
Of these, eight had successfully appealed against conviction or a recommendation for deportation and 54 were released after my right hon. Friend had considered representations made on their behalf or had decided not to act on the recommendation of a court.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long, on average, persons were held in custody while awaiting deportation under the provisions of the Immigration Act in 1977 who were subsequently released and stayed in the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI will reply to the honourable Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest period a person has been held in custody under the Immigration Act (a) before being deported, and (b) before being allowed to stay in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe longest time spent awaiting deportation in prison department establishments in England and Wales by any of the people deported between 1st January 1977 and 15th November 1977 was 347 days. The corresponding period for a person who was allowed to stay was 273 days. In the former case the person concerned had renounced his citizenship and the delay was due to difficulties seen by his national authorities over the issue of a travel document. It was not considered safe to release him meanwhile. The latter case is the one referred to in the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Moonman) on 10th November.—[Vol. 938, c. 220–1.]
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department of those held in custody so far in 1977 while awaiting deportation under the provisions of the Immigration Act, and subsequently allowed to stay in the United Kingdom, how many were white and how many black.
§ Dr. SummerskillStatistics of those held in custody awaiting deportation under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 are not classified by colour.