§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors to Britain arriving at Heathrow or Gatwick from Bangladesh, India or Pakistan during the period of 1 to 14 October were detained in one of Her Majesty's prisons; what was the duration of 159W detention; what criteria his Department operates to decide which detainees were sent to prison and which went to hotels; how many are still at Erlestoke prison, Wiltshire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe information readily available is as follows and relates to all nationals of the countries concerned, refers to those detained solely under powers conferred by the Immigration Act 1971, and excludes persons who may be detained as a result of a prosecution for Customs or other offences.
Seven passengers from the countries concerned who arrived between 1 and 14 October were detained in one of Her Majesty's prisons for between four and five days. Those detained in other prison service establishments at 20 October were as follows:
- Blantyre House Detention Centre: 32
- Erlestoke House Youth Custody Centre: 43
Thirty-six such nationals were still at Erlestoke House on 27 October.
The detainees who were sent to prison service establishments were those in whose cases the immigration service judged that the risk of absconding was unacceptably high. The action was taken because normal detention accommodation was full.
All those still detained are the subject of an automatic stop from Members of the House, whose representations we now await.