§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department of the 10 longest held prisoners waiting deportation in Pentonville Prison, what are the stages and statutory rights through which each prisoner must pass; and what is the length of time for each stage.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe statutory appeal rights of six of the people concerned have already been exercised. Of these six cases, removal has been suspended in two to enable representations made by hon. Members to be considered; two are awaiting the conclusion of inquiries on their behalf about property; one has documentation difficulties; and one is awaiting removal by the police. In the remaining four cases appeals have yet to be heard against the country of destination specified in the removal directions. It is not possible to say how long the remaining stages will take.
§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, of the 30 longest held prisoners awaiting deportation in Pentonville Prison, against how many he has signed deportation orders.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees22. Of the remainder, six are detained following court recommendations for deportation which are still under consideration and682W two are held under detention orders made under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 3 to the Immigration Act 1971 pending the making of deportation orders.
§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names and ages of all the Nigerian people at present held in Pentonville Prison awaiting deportation and the length of time each one has been in prison.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIt is not my normal practice to identify prisoners by name. The information requested is summarised in the table below.
NIGERIANS AWAITING DEPORTATION IN PENTOVILLE PRISON BY AGE AND TIME IN CUSTODY AWATTING DEPORTATION—AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 1977 Age Up to 1 month Over 1 month up to 2 months Over 2 months up to 3 months Over 3 months up to 6 months 21–24 0 0 0 1 25–29 0 2 3 0 30–34 1 0 1 0
§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it sometimes takes four months to deport a person who has agreed to go from the day of his or her last court appearance.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesExamples of reasons for delays in deportation are: a decision to exercise certain rights of appeal despite an initial agreement to leave, delays in obtaining a valid travel document or difficulties in disposing of property in the United Kingdom. But a delay of as long as four months after a person has agreed to go would be very unusual, and perhaps my hon. Friend would write to me if he has a particular case in mind.