HC Deb 31 March 1995 vol 257 cc854-5W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers are currently detained under Immigration Act powers in HMP Rochester; and when use of the second wing within HMP Rochester to hold Immigration Act detainees is likely to begin; [17690]

(2) how many asylum seekers are currently detained under Immigration Act powers; and if he will provide a breakdown of those detained, by length of detention and by location. [17689]

Mr. Nicholas Baker

As at 29 March 1995, a total of 619 persons who had sought asylum were detained. This figure includes people awaiting the setting of directions for removal following refusal of the application, as well as those whose applications were under consideration or subject to appeal. Of this figure, 171 had been in detention less than one month, 87 between one and two months, 171 between two and six months, and 190 had been in detention longer than six months.

Information on the location of these detained persons, as at 29 March 1995, is given in the table. The second wing of Her Majesty's prison, Rochester is due to become available to house Immigration Act detainees during May 1995.

Number of people detained on 29 March 1995 who had sought asylum, by location
Number
Prisons
Haslar RC 79
Rochester 54
Winson Green 42
Brixton 11
Manchester 10
Wandsworth 9
Greenock 8
Wolds RC 7
Bristol 6
Brinsford YOI and RC 5
Exeter 4
Hindley RC 4
Armley, Leeds 3
Belmarsh 3
Risley 3
Wormwood Scrubs 3
Birmingham 2
Norwich 2
Strangeways 2
Other 17
Other places of detention
Campsfield House 147
Harmondsworth 86
Gatwick Detention Centre 35
Stansted 13
Gatwick Beehive 11
Queens Building 8
Dover Harbour Board 6
Newhaven 4
Birmingham Detention Suite 2
Manchester Airport Detention Suite 1
Police Cells 32
Total 619

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