Asylum Seekers (Hansard, 30 March 1994)

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom are currently held in detention; what was the figure a year ago; and if he will list those establishments which are used regularly for such detention.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
On 21 March 645 people who had applied for asylum at some stage were held in detention. Information on the number of asylum seekers held in detention a year ago is not available.
The establishments which regularly hold the greatest numbers of immigration detainees are as follows:
846W
Immigration Service Accommodation

Campsfield House

Harmondsworth

The Beehive, Gatwick Airport

Queen's Building, Heathrow

Manchester

Stansted

Prison Service Accommodation

Birmingham

Blakenhurst

Canterbury

Dover

Haslar¹

High Down

Holloway

Pentonville

¹Haslar Holding Centre is primarily an Immigration Detention Centre, although managed by the Prison Service.

§ Mr. Madden
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons, held in detention, who have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom are currently refusing to eat; what arrangements are made for such people to be seen by a doctor or to have access to standard hospital facilities; how many detainees held at Campsfield house are currently refusing to eat; how many detainees have been dispersed from Campsfield house to other establishments; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Charles Wardle
On 28 March, 69 detainees were refusing food, 22 of whom were located at Campsfield house.
Between 18 February and 28 March 87 detainees left Campsfield house. Of these, 27 were released on temporary admission or bail, 22 were sent to other establishments and the remaining 38 were removed from the United Kingdom.
Detainees in immigration detention centres have access on a daily basis to a resident or visiting doctor. The Prison Service is responsible for providing similar access to a doctor for those Immigration Act detainees accommodated at prison establishments. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a detainee who requires medical attention beyond that which can be provided in an immigration detention centre may be transferred to a prison hospital or outside hospital.