HL Deb 30 November 1977 vol 387 cc1345-7WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (1) how many non-criminal prisoners on 30th June 1977 were persons held under the Immigration Act 1971;
  2. (2) what was the average daily population of non-criminal prisoners who were persons held under the Immigration Act 1971 in the first six months of 1977;
  3. (3) how many non-criminal prisoners who were persons held under the Immigration Act 1971 were received into custody in the first six months of 1977;
  4. (4) what was the average number of days for which non-criminal prisoners held under the Immigration Act 1971 had been in custody prior to deportation or release in the first six months of 1977;
  5. (5) what was the longest period for which any non-criminal prisoner held under the Immigration Act 1971 on 30th October 1977 had been in custody;
  6. (6) what was the average number of days for which non-criminal prisoners held under the Immigration Act 1971 following recommendation for deportation by a court had been in custody prior to deportation or release in the first six months of 1977;
  7. (7) whether non-criminal prisoners held under the Immigration Act 1971 are permitted the use of a telephone to deal with urgent domestic problems, consult solicitors etc.;
  8. (8) whether payments are made by local social security offices on behalf of the Home Office for visits to non-criminal prisoners held under the Immigration Act 1971 in the same circumstances as for criminal and remand prisoners.

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

The full information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Readily available information as regards persons held in custody in England and Wales under the Immigration Act 1971 is as follows:

  1. (1) On 30th June 1977 there were 227 such persons held in prison establishments.
  2. (2) Over the first six months of 1977 the average daily population of such persons was about 220.
  3. (3) Over the first six months of 1977 there were 680 receptions into prison establishments. This figure does not 1347 include persons detained on completion of a sentence of imprisonment.
  4. (4) No information is readily available about the average time spent in custody prior to deportation by persons who had not been imprisoned for a criminal offence.
  5. (5) The longest period for which such a person in custody on 31st October 1977 had been held under the 1971 Act awaiting deportation was 301 days.
  6. (6) There is considerable variation in the circumstances of those held to await deportation after serving custodial sentences. The only information readily available relates to 74 people discharged from Pentonville prison in the first half of 1977: this shows that a quarter of those recommended for deportation spent less than 21 days in custody between the completion of their sentence and their deportation; a half spent 43 days or less; and three-quarters spent 63 days or less.
  7. (7) Unconvicted prisoners, including those detained under the provision of the 1971 Act, can apply to make personal telephone calls within the United Kingdom for the following purposes:
    1. (a) for urgent domestic reasons,
    2. (b) to clear up immediate business problems,
    3. (c) to consult a solicitor,
    4. (d) to arrange bail securities,
    5. (e) to contact a national representative at an Embassy etc.
  8. (8) A request for assistance for a visit to a detainee would be considered on the same basis as for a visit to a remand prisoner.