HC Deb 02 February 1978 vol 943 cc282-3W
Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it remains the policy of his Department, as enunciated in a circular by his predecessor, Lord Carr of Hadley, that police and immigration officers should not conduct "sweeps" to discover illegal immigrants.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Yes. Both the Immigration Service and the police are aware that, while carrying out their duty to investigate information which provides reasonable cause to believe that someone may be an illegal entrant or in breach of the immigration laws, they are expected to avoid action which might be construed as harassment of innocent persons and not to carry out indiscriminate, speculative investigations.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Northumbria on the recent "sweep" by the Northumbria Police for illegal immigrants in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I have received a full report from Her Majesty's Deputy Chief Inspector, Immigration Service, about the circumstances in which investigations were carried out by immigration and police officers into information received about the presence of illegal entrants at addresses in the Newcastle area. I see no reason to call for any further report.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the recent sweep by the Metropolitan Police for illegal immigration in West London.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that police inquiries made on 25th January originated in the failure of a number of people to register with the police, as they had been required to do when they were given leave to enter the country.

Nine people have been charged with offences under the Immigration Act 1971.