§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were arrested and charged with false passport offences during 1997; how many of those were subsequently imprisoned; what was the average length of sentence; how many were subsequently detained on completion of their sentence; and if he will make a statement. [38660]
§ Mr. MichaelUnder section 26(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1971 a foreign national shall be guilty of a criminal offence if, without lawful authority, he alters any certificate of entitlement, entry clearance, work permit or other document made under or for the purpose of the Act; or has in his possession any passport, certificate of entitlement, entry clearance, work permit or other document which is known or he has reasonable cause to believe to be false.
Detailed information on arrests and charges by offence is not collected centrally. Information held on the Home Office Court Proceedings database for 1996 (latest available) shows nine prosecutions and five convictions under section 26(1)(d) of the Act. Only one offender was given a custodial sentence (of one month—although this was not coupled with a recommendation for deportation).
518WHowever it is also possible that other legislation, which does not refer exclusively to passports, may be used to deal with foreign nationals arrested for this type of crime.