HC Deb 25 October 1979 vol 972 cc247-8W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been detained at Har- mondsworth detention centre so far in the current year; and if he will take steps to stop this practice forthwith.

Mr. Whitelaw

Between 1 January and 18 October 1979, 243 children under 17 years of age were detained at the immigration service detention centre at Harmondsworth. Detention of children is kept to the minimum. I regret that any children are detained, but there is sometimes no alternative, for example when their parents are also detained.