§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether those detained on 19 and 20 April in Manchester in connection with alleged terrorist activity are(a) linked to Al Muhajiroon and (b) Supporters of Sharia; and if he will make a statement. [167992]
§ Mr. BlunkettYour will be aware that the investigation involving those arrested on 19 April 2004 in Manchester, and in some cases re-arrested subsequently, is ongoing. Therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment.
§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the(a) nationalities and (b) immigration status were of people arrested on suspicion of terrorist offences in each of the last five years; [167960]
(2) how many people arrested under anti-terrorist legislation have been identified as illegal immigrants in each of the last five years; [167961]
(3) how many people arrested under anti-terrorist legislation in each of the last five years are current or former asylum seekers in the United Kingdom; [167962]
(4) how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) convicted under anti-terrorist legislation in each of the last five years, broken down by offence; [167963]
(5) how many people were arrested in November and December 2003 on suspicion of terrorist offences, broken down by offence; what their (a) nationalities and (b) immigration status are; and how many are current or former asylum seekers in the United Kingdom. [167967]
§ Mr. Blunkettinformation on nationality and immigration status can be a key part of the investigation of terrorist offences and the police and Immigration Service work closely together in these cases. I legislated in the Nationality, immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to make it easier to deport foreign nationals who have committed serious offences.
1555WThis information is now being collated centrally for statistical purposes but is not available for the years listed by the right hon. Member. It would, however, be disproportionate to require the police and courts to obtain, verify and record this information in all cases.
The available evidence suggests that only a small number of foreign nationals, asylum seekers or refugees commit serious crimes.
We are currently awaiting a breakdown of the available figures on arrests, charges and convictions from the Metropolitan police. I will write to the right hon. Member and place a copy in the Library once these have been received.