HC Deb 24 November 1977 vol 939 cc878-9W
Mrs. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why an Italian tourist, Mr. Rocco Cicoria, who was sentenced to one day's imprisonment and recommended for deportation on 23rd September, was still in Pentonville Prison on 17th November.

Dr. Summerskill

Mr. Cicoria was convicted on 23rd September and recommended for deportation on 4th October, after the expiry of the period of notice required by the Immigration Act 1971.

In such cases, my right hon. Friend needs to have full information about the offence and the circumstances of the offender before deciding whether or not to act on the court's recommendation. In this case, the information was not available in full until 26th October. It was subsequently decided that a supervised departure was appropriate and on 7th November the police were asked to make the necessary arrangements. Arrangements were made initially for Mr. Cicoria to leave on 14th-15th November, but in view of his behaviour in prison it was decided that a male police escort would be required. In the event, Mr. Cicoria's behaviour then improved and he left this country without escort on 21st November.

Mrs. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in the latest period for which this information is available his Department has agreed to supervised departures of non-patrials in place of deportation following recommendation by a court.

Dr. Summerskill

There have been 82 such cases since 1st January 1977.

Mrs. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average period for which non-patrials have been detained in custody prior to supervised departure, in those cases where supervised departure has been arranged following conviction by a court, in the latest period for which this information is available.

Dr. Summerskill

In the 30 most recent such cases the average period spent in custody by reason of the recommendation for deportation was 41 days. My right hon. Friend needs in such cases to have reports on the circumstances of the offence and the offender before deciding whether to act on the recommendation. When the decision has been taken, arrangements for the departure then have to be made. These may include the obtaining of vaild passports or other travel documents, the booking of flights or sea passages, and the provision of escorts.