HC Deb 24 May 2000 vol 350 cc496-8W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in(a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123423]

Mr. Straw

The information is as follows:

from public appearances other than his boxing match; what assurances he has received; and if he will make a statement. [123571]

Mr. Straw

No assurances were either sought from or given by Mr. Tyson, but it was made clear to him that the entry clearance was granted for a three-week visit strictly for the purposes of the boxing match.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department first learned of Mike Tyson's proposed visit to Scotland. [123567]

Mr. Straw

My Department became aware in March from newspaper reports that Mr. Tyson was intending to make a visit. My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) wrote to me on 25 April requesting a meeting to discuss the proposed bout in Scotland. I met with my hon. Friend and his delegation, which included my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding), Lord Brooks of Tremorfa and Stephen Davies, on 3 May.

Mr. Tyson's application for entry clearance was submitted to the British Consulate General in New York on Friday 12 May 2000. It was then passed to the Home Office who received it on the morning of Monday 15 May.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he took of the possibility of subsequent judicial review when making his decision on whether to admit Mike Tyson to the UK. [123566]

Mr. Straw

As with all such matters, in making my decision I was concerned to ensure that it was in accordance with the general law and the relevant Immigration Rule. It would be for the courts to decide what grounds existed for judicial review of that decision.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he has had on the impact on police resources of Mike Tyson's proposed visit to the United Kingdom; [123572]

(2) between which dates his Department carried out its assessment of the financial and commercial impact of a decision to refuse permission for Mike Tyson to enter the United Kingdom; [123569]

(3) which persons and organisations he consulted about the financial consequences of a decision to refuse permission for Mike Tyson to enter the United Kingdom; [123570]

(4) what estimate he made of (a) the financial cost to British business and (b) the number of companies which would have suffered financially, if he had refused Mike Tyson permission to enter the UK for his proposed boxing match. [123565]

Mr. Straw

In reaching my decision, I considered all relevant factors and weighed them against the statutory criteria in the Immigration Rules. In doing so, I recognised the potential economic benefits to the United Kingdom, as well as the policing implications. I also took account of the fact that there would be strength of feeling both for and against this entry into the United Kingdom. There is no statutory requirement for further consultation or assessment, and I was able to reach a decision on the basis of the information before us.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the observations of the Minister of State, Home Office, on 23 May 2000, Official Report, columns 191–98WH. As she told the House, both she and I sought information from the Deputy First Minister, Scottish Executive, as to the possible impact of any visit on the police in Strathclyde before the final decision was made.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received about the proposed visit of Mike Tyson to Scotland; how many(a) supported and (b) opposed the visit; and if he will make a statement. [123568]

Mr. Straw

In support of Mr. Tyson's proposed visit to the United Kingdom, I received representations from Frank Warren on behalf of Sports Network Europe. On 18 May, I was sent a formal notification from the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament of two parliamentary motions opposing the entry of Mike Tyson, but I was in any event well aware of the strong views felt on both sides on this matter, particularly in Scotland.