§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are being held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers; and how many of these have been held for more than 28 days, broken down by removal centre. [169243]
§ Mr. BrowneManagement information indicates that on the 26 January 2004 35 children were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Three quarters of those had been in detention for 14 days or less and the remainder had been detained for less than four months. These individuals were all detained as part of families whose detention as a group was considered necessary.
Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 25 May: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
§ John ThursoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been held in detention solely under Immigration Act powers since his announcement that children will not be detained for more than 28 days without ministerial consent; and how many of these have been held for more than 28 days, broken down by removal centre. [169244]
§ Mr. BrowneInformation on the total number of children detained under Immigration Act powers since the announcement in October 2003 that children will not be detained for more than 28 days without ministerial consent is not available.
Management information indicates that on the 26 January 2004 35 children were detained solely under Immigration Act powers. Three quarters of those had been in detention for 14 days or less and the remainder had been detained for less than four months. This includes children and infants who were detained as part of family group for very short periods pending removal.
Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 25 May: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.