§ Glenda JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the average time spent by immigrants in(a) Metropolitan Police Authority and (b) British Transport Police cells is in (i) Camden and (ii) Greater London; [173872]
(2) how many immigrants are being detained in (a) Metropolitan Police Authority and (b) British Transport Police facilities in (i) Camden and (ii) Greater London. [173874]
§ Mr. BrowneInformation on persons detained in police cells is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.
§ Annette BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what changes have been made to the employment of UK immigration officers in Cherbourg during 2004; [170603]
(2) what changes have been made to weekend operations involving immigration controls in Dorset during 2004. [170601]
§ Mr. Browne[holding answer 5 May 2004]: The UK Immigration Service does not presently operate in Cherbourg.
On 19 July 2002 a pilot scheme started between Cherbourg and Poole. UK Immigration Officers provided advice and support to the carrier in respect of travel status of passengers prior to boarding in 321W Cherbourg. The officer then returned with the inbound ferry to control passengers seeking leave to enter the United Kingdom during the crossing.
On 22 February 2004 the scheme was suspended. Local managers are seeking to resume the pilot exercise at the earliest opportunity.