HC Deb 12 July 1979 vol 970 cc251-2W
Mr. Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will order an immediate investigation into the case of Mr. Kelzani of 22 Oxford Street, Swindon, who was arrested on 13 June after the signing of a deportation order and imprisoned for more than three weeks on the basis of incorrect information as to his right of abode in Egypt;

(2) what inquiries were made or assurances received regarding Mr. Kelzani's eligibility to be admitted to Egypt before he was arrested on 13 June and placed in detention prior to intended deportation;

(3) whether any further efforts were made by his Department following Mr. Kelzani's arrest on 13 June and detention, and prior to representations by the hon. Member for Swindon on 4 July, to recheck his contention that he was not eligible to be admitted to Egypt; and, if so, with whom.

Mr. Whitelaw

Inquiries about Mr. Kelzani's admissibility to Egypt were made of the Egyption embassy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before a deportation order was made against him on 24 May. These showed that, provided he still held a valid Egyptian travel document, a visa for return to Egypt was likely to be issued. On his arrest on 13 June, it was found that Mr. Kelzani had lost his travel document and the question of his admissibility to Egypt has now been referred by the Egyptian embassy to Cairo. When a reply is received, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will be consulted before any steps are taken to remove Mr. Kelzani who, in the meantime, has been released from detention.

Mr. Stoddart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what other cases there have been of persons being detained in similar circumstances to those of Mr. Kelzani during the past five years; if there are any other persons currently being held in detention in similar circumstances; and, if so, if he will order their immediate release.

Mr. Whitelaw

The answer to the first part of the question could only be provided at disproportionate cost and the information requested in the second part is not readily available. Persons detained in these circumstances are released if this is appropriate.