HL Deb 07 July 1998 vol 591 cc123-4WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will accede to the request by the Warden of New College, the Warden of All Souls' College, the Principal of Mansfield College and the President of Magdalen College, Oxford, for the release of six asylum seekers; and, if not, why not. [HL2464]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The trial interrupted arrangements for the removal of those who had no claim to remain in the United Kingdom. As the trial had been concluded, arrangements will proceed for the removal of those who have no claim to remain here. It would not be appropriate to make preferential arrangements for those who were acquitted on 17 June but who then remained in detention under Immigration Act powers when the cases of others who were present at Campsfield House on 20 August 1997, but who were not prosecuted, have since followed the normal, established procedures. However, one of the detainees concerned was given bail on 26 June and another has a bail hearing listed for 2 July. Another of the detainees was granted temporary admission to hospital on 26 June.