HL Deb 17 July 1991 vol 531 c11WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What criteria must be satisfied before asylum seekers are detained without charge in prisons or detention centres; and whether they will give instructions to prevent, whenever possible, the detention of those who have a prima facie claim to have suffered torture.

Viscount Astor

Persons, whether asylum seekers or not, are detained under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 only if the immigration officer is not satisfied that they will comply with any restrictions on temporary admission or release that might be notified to them. Account would be taken of any claim by a person to have suffered torture, but this would not necessarily preclude detention.