HC Deb 16 December 1976 vol 922 cc772-3W
46. Mr. Holland

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many illegal immigrants have been apprehended during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many were apprehended during the previous 12 months;

(2) what were the countries of origin of the illegal immigrants apprehended during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many originated from each country;

(3) how many illegal immigrants have been deported during the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many were deported during the previous 12 months.

Dr. Summerskill

Provisional figures for the 12 months ending on 30th September 1976 show that, excluding Commonwealth citizens and citizens of Pakistan who entered illegally before 1st January 1973 and who were eligible to have their position regularised under the terms of the Home Secretary's announcement of 11th April 1974, 142 Commonwealth citizens and 143 foreign nationals were dealt with as illegal entrants during the period. Ninety-eight Commonwealth citizens and 112 foreign nationals—some of whom were detained before 1st October 1975—were removed from the United Kingdom during the period. The cases of 25 Commonwealth citizens and eight foreign nationals were outstanding on 30th September 1976, either because documentation was awaited prior to removal or because consideration of the case was incomplete.

Corresponding figures for the 12 months ending on 30th September 1975 were 91, 90, 78 and 66, respectively; the cases of nine Commonwealth citizens and eight foreign nationals were outstanding on 30th September 1975.

A detailed breakdown of illegal entrants dealt with by country of origin is not readily available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

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