§ Mr. Robert Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many illegal immigrants are currently under sentence of deportation; and what period of time has elapsed since the first current deportation order was signed;
56W(2) what is the average length of time between the signing of a deportation order for an illegal immigrant and its being effected.
§ Mr. RaisonWhere it is decided to remove someone whose illegal status derives from illegal entry, removal is normally directed under the provisions of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971. On 19 June instructions for removal had been given but not effected in 32 such cases. The earliest such instruction was given on 20 March 1979.
Where a person's illegal status derives from his having overstayed his leave to enter or remain, a deportation order may be made. The number of those awaiting removal following the signing of an order, and the average time taken to effect removal after the signing of an order or the giving of instructions to remove an illegal entrant, are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.