HC Deb 10 January 1977 vol 923 c342W
Mr. Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the daily cost to Her Majesty's Government of detaining in custody each person refused entry on arrival at Heathrow Airport and subsequently taken to a detention centre.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The daily cost of detaining a person at the Harmondsworth detention centre would be of the order of £13, assuming full occupancy. Not all of the detention costs are borne on public funds because carrying companies are liable for the cost of detention of passengers who arrive without an entry clearance or work permit and are sent away.