HC Deb 28 July 1982 vol 28 cc528-9W
Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what have been the dates and places since 1 January 1981 where joint immigration-police operations were carried out; how many police officers and immigration officers, and of what rank, were involved for each operation; how many people, of what nationalities were (a) interviewed and (b) detained in each operation, for how long and where; and with regard to what breaches of immigration law these people were interviewed and if detained, accused;

(2) how many people, as a result of each joint operation between the immigration officers and the police since 1 January 1981 were removed as illegal entrants and deported under the terms of section 3(5) of the Immigration Act 1971; how many prosecutions were carried out as a result of each operation; and whether the guidelines as outlined in the Home Office circular (No. 131/1980) to the chief officers of police were carried out in each operation.

Mr. Raison

The information readily available is as follows:

Date Place Nationality of those interviewed Identified as illegal entrants Identified as overstayers Identified as working in breach of conditions Prosecuted
4 February 1981 Airfix Products Limited, SW8 5 Ghanaian 2 3 — 3
5 March 1981 Sol Cafe, Greenford, Middlesex 11 Ghanaian 5 7 — 4
1 Nigerian
1 Pakistani
6 July 1981 Various private addresses, Ilford area 19 Nigerian 23 — — 4
4 Nationality doubtful
6 January 1982 Smiths Meters Limited, SW16 10 Ghanaian 5 4 — 1
1 Indian
14 April 1982 Shell Mex House, Strand, WC2 20 Nigerian 2 5 12 17
6 May 1982 Sunlight Laundry, Wimbledon 5 Ghanaian 4 4 — 2
3 Sri Lankan
1 United Kingdom Passport Holder

Of the 81 people interviewed, 78 were detained at some stage, but the majority for only a few hours. The remaining information requested is not readily available—some cases are still under consideration—and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

We are satisfied that the guidelines outlined in Home Office circular No. 131/1980 were carefully followed in each operation.