HC Deb 22 May 1979 vol 967 cc101-2W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of people in prison on charges of being illegal immigrants; and if he will give a breakdown of the time each person has been held in prison.

Mr. Raison

Information about the number of people in prison awaiting trial on a charge relating to unlawful entry is not readily available. There were on 17 May 50 persons detained as illegal entrants in prison and elsewhere on the authority of an immigration officer.

The periods of detention were:

1 month or less 20
More than 1 month and up to and including 2 months 16
More than 2 month and up to and including 3 months 7
More than 3 month and up to and including 6 months 5
More than 6 month 2

The longest period of detention was 12 months.