HC Deb 19 May 1986 vol 98 cc13-5W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce an independent element into the investigation of complaints made against the immigration service.

Mr. Waddington

The sixth report from the Home Affairs Committee (Session 1984–85) recommended that an independent element should be introduced into the immigration and nationality department's procedures for the investigation of complaints. The Department's officials are considering the recommendation and my right hon. Friend will make a substantive response to the Committee in due course.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers, granted temporary admission to the United Kingdom on arrival at Heathrow airport in the current year, have been accommodated by his Department in hotels; what instructions have been issued to private security guards on duty there; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

The information available is that, in the period between 27 March and 29 April, accommodation was provided at two hotels near Heathrow for the equivalent of 681 passengers. Some passengers may have been accommodated for more than one night. the passengers concerned had been either required to submit to further examination or refused entry and were given temporary admission and required to reside at one of two hotels.

The employees of Securicor Ltd. who accompanied the passengers to the hotels were instructed that, as the passengers had been given temporary admission, they were not not be prevented from leaving the hotels but that if there was any indication that a person did not intend to return to Heathrow the employee should inform the immigration officer concerned. It was also made clear that such passengers were not be to restrained.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the newly issued code of practice for immigration officers when searching premises and conducting interviews; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

Yes. We hope to do so shortly.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many oral and written complaints have been received in the current year to date about immigration control at Heathrow airport from(a) passengers, (b) the public and (c) right hon. and hon. Members; and how many complaints were received (i) in 1985 and (ii) in 1984.

Mr. Waddington

No statistical record is kept of oral complaints.

Up to 15 May, 77 written complaints have been received this year about the immigration control at Heathrow, of which 14 were made by passengers, 22 by members of the public and 41 by right hon. and hon. Members. The total for 1985 was 213, of which 41 were from passengers, 73 from members of the public and 99 from right hon. and hon. Members. Statistics for 1984 were not kept in the form requested but in that year a total of 212 written complaints were received from all sources about the control at Heathrow.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private security firm personnel are employed by his Department on immigration control at Heathrow airport; when they were first employed; at what total cost; and what are their duties.

Mr. Waddington

Securicor Ltd. has been contracted to the Home Office since 1 July 1970 to provide staff who act as orderlies for passengers under examination by an immigration officer and for the purpose of guarding and escorting persons detained under the Immigration. Act 1971.

There are 28 Securicor posts at Heathrow airport. There are covered by shiftwork, some for 24 hours per day, so that the actual number of personnel employed is greater. The 28 posts include those at the main terminal buildings as well as at the Queen's building and Harmondsworth detention centres. The cost of the service is a rnatier of contract, which it would not be appropriate for me to disclose.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to appoint or second immigration officers to the private offices of his Ministerial colleagues; what their duties will be; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

The increase in the number of representations by Members in immigration cases made it necessary to provide additional support both at ports and in the private office of my hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State whose responsibilities include immigration. Two immigration officers have been appointed as assistant private secretaries for an initial period of six months.