§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of those passengers from Jamaica who were refused entry to the
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§ Mr. HowardOur records show that the following former hon. Members have been appointed to Home Office non-departmental public bodies:
United Kingdom when they arrived at Gatwick on 21 December 1993; if he will list the names of those passengers who were given temporary admission to the United Kingdom; if he will list the names of those passengers who were detained at Campsfield House immigration detention centre; and if he will give a summary as to why each passenger was refused entry to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Charles WardleIt is not our practice to disclose personal details of individuals with whom the Department has contact. Most of the passengers were refused entry because the immigration officer was not satisfied that they were genuine visitors who would return to Jamaica at the end of their visit. A small number were refused entry because they were apparently coming for settlement without the required entry clearance.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the opportunity given, in the time between the refusal to grant entry to the United Kingdom as visitors to Jamaican nationals at Gatwick on 21 December 1993 and their deportation from the United Kingdom, for passengers and their legal representatives to apply for judicial review of the refusal to grant entry ; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleRemoval is normally arranged as soon as practicable for passengers held in detention following refusal of leave to enter. Removal directions will normally be deferred for a short time if an application for judicial review is lodged.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when each passenger from Jamaica, 145W detained at Campsfield House from 21 December 1993, after being refused entry to the United Kingdom, was informed of their rights to legal advice and representation; on what dates written explanations of reasons to grant entry to the United Kingdom were passed to solicitors; for how many passengers such explanations were supplied.; and how many written explanations were outstanding when detainees were removed from the United Kingdom on 25 December 1993.
§ Mr. Charles WardleEach passenger was given written reasons for refusal of entry and advised that they were free to contact their High Commission or anyone else that they wished. One firm of solicitors acting for an individual detainee sought written details of the refusal decision and these were provided on 23 December. Oral explanations were given to various firms of solicitors acting for a further 12 detainess between 23 and 24 December. No requests for explanations, either written or oral, were outstanding at the time of removal.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Michael Lennon (Ref.: GAT 14116) was refused entry to the United Kingdom as a visitor at Gatwick on 21 December 1993; why applications by the hon. Member for Bradford, West for Mr. Lennon to ge given temporary admission to the United Kingdom were refused; whether Mr. Lennon applied to settle in the United Kingdom; whether Mr. Lennon inidicated he intended to seek employment in the United Kingdom; whether Mr. Lennon was known to have any criminal convictions or known to have criminal associates in the United Kingdom; whether he was in possession of any illegal substance when personally searched; who was his sponsor in the United Kingdom; whether he had a return air ticket to Jamaica; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI have written to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors on flight YULE 966 from Kingston, Jamaica, were detained at Gatwick airport on 21 December 1993; and what were the reasons for their detention.
§ Mr. Charles WardleOne hundred and seventy eight passengers were required to submit to further examination under the Immigration Act 1971 and were therefore detained at the airport while awaiting interview.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the decision to detain visitors from Kingston, Jamaica, at Gatwick airport on 21 December 1993 was a reflection of a change in policy by the Home Office.
§ Mr. Charles WardleNo. We continue to welcome genuine visitors from all countries. There has been no change in the criteria for visitor cases generally or Jamaican citizens in particular.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from solicitors and others concerning entry procedures for those wishing to visit the United Kingdom following the deportation of Jamaicans on 25 December 1993; what action he has taken following such representations ; and what action he proposes to take.
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§ Mr. Charles WardleWe had received on 7 January 44 letters from various individuals and organisations. They raised various issues but most were supportive of the action taken. Replies will be sent to individual correspondents as appropriate.