HC Deb 28 July 1980 vol 989 cc498-500W
Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many patrials and how many non-patrials whose immigration status was fully lawful were arrested during the operation by the police and immigration service at the Hilton hotel on 20 June; and how long each was detained.

Mr. Raison

The operation at the Hilton hotel took place on 22 May. Two patrials and two non-patrials whose immigration status was in order were arrested on that date. One patrial was detained for 9¾ hours and the other for 6 hours. The non-patrials were detained for approximately 5 hours.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the nationalities of the 100 persons questioned at the Hilton hotel on 22 May; and how they were selected from the total employees present;

(2) what were the nationalities of the alleged illegal immigrants about whom there was specific information leading to the operation at the Hilton hotel on 22 May.

Mr. Raison

Prior to the operation at the Hilton Hotel on 22 May information had been obtained about people of 32 different nationalities who were suspected of being in breach of the immigration laws. The nationalities of those people who were questioned were similar.

Twenty-three people had previously been positively identified by name as being in breach of the immigration laws and 142 had been identified by name whose immigration status was in doubt. Only people who fell into one of these two categories were questioned.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often in the past six months the immigration service has taken part in operations mounted in connection with suspected immigration offences during which 20 or more persons were questioned as to their status; and if he will list the dates and premises concerned.

Mr. Raison

The following joint operations between the Immigration Service and the police in which more than 20 people were questioned about their immigration status have taken place in the last 6 months:

  • 22 January Various premises in the Blackburn area.
  • 2 February Various premises in the London area.
  • 29 March The Shell centre. London.
  • 13 May Bestway Cash and Carry and other premises in London.
  • 22 May The Hilton hotel, London.
  • 20 June Main Gas factory, Edmonton.

In addition to joint operations of this sort immigration officers may have been called upon to advise in other police operations, particularly where forged travel documents are suspected to have been used.

Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were deployed at the Hilton hotel during the operation on 20 June.

Mr. Raison

Approximately 60 police officers were deployed in the operation centred upon the Hilton hotel on 22 May. Of these about 10 were at Vine Street police station. The remainder were deployed at the Hilton hotel and elsewhere.