HC Deb 07 December 1977 vol 940 c712W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long, on average, persons were held in custody while awaiting deportation under the provisions of the Immigration Act in 1977 who were subsequently released and stayed in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Merlyn Rees,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 6th December 1977, Vol. 940, c. 625–6], gave the following information:

The average time for which people are detained under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 does not show the wide variation that occurs. The table below shows the distribution of time spent in Prison Department establishments in England and Wales by the 62 people released between 1st January and 30th November 1977 after being detained under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 relating to deportation.

Time detained under the Immigration Act 1971 for those who were released from prison department establishments between 1st January and 30th November 1977 and allowed to stay in the United Kingdom
Up to 1 month 28
Over 1 month up to 2 months 17
Over 2 months up to 3 months 8
Over 3 months up to 6 months 8
Over 6 months up to 9 months 1
Total 62