§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 20 December 1988,Official Report, column 178, what representation he has received about the legal validity of the powers used by immigration officers to sign notices of intention to deport under the Immigration Act 1971; what response he has made; if he will review these powers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Renton[holding answer 17 May 1989]: This issue has been raised in a number of appeals before the independent appellate authorities. The immigration appeal tribunal has now endorsed the view that the service of notices of intention to deport authorised by members of the immigration service not below the rank of inspector is valid.
We have also received two other letters about the delegation of the powers of the Secretary of State. A reply was sent to the first letter in November 1988 in similar 321W terms to the answer given to the hon. Member on 20 December 1988 at column 178. The second letter was received recently and a reply will be sent shortly.