§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many security personnel were employed by his Department on escorting and detaining immigrants last year; and what was the cost to public funds.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Home Office does not directly employ security personnel for this purpose. Under a contract with the Home Office, however, Securicor Ltd. provides staff to man the immigration service detention arrangements, under the direction of the immigration service.
432WThe number of staff employed for this purpose cannot readily be identified, because the contract requires posts to be filled for varying periods up to 24 hours each day. In 1982 the number of these posts required to be filled regularly was 27, and the contract also provides for additional staff to be employed as and when necessary.
It would be a breach of commercial confidence to disclose the amount paid to the contractor under these arrangements.