HC Deb 11 March 1998 vol 308 c203W
Mr. Gorrie

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been detained in Scotland under Immigration Act powers in each of the past five years; what is the (i) longest, (ii) shortest and (iii) average time for which they have been detained in each year; and how many cases each year resulted in the asylum seekers being(a) deported, (b) released and (c) dealt with otherwise. [33460]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Regrettably, the information requested is available only at disproportionate cost through examination of individual case records.

My officials are currently engaged in an exercise to determine the status and length of detention of persons detained under Immigration Act powers in Scottish prisons at a particular point in time. I will let the hon. Member have a summary of the findings when that exercise has been completed.