§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number and nationality of foreign prisoners who have been repatriated since the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 was implemented;
(2) how many foreign prisoners are currently in staging establishments awaiting repatriation.
§ Mr. MellorApplications for repatriation have been received from 19 prisoners in England and Wales. These will be transmitted to the other Governments concerned for consideration, in accordance with the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons. One of the prisoners concerned is located in Wandsworth prison, which is a "staging establishment" for the purpose of repatriation, but in no case have the transfer arrangements yet been set in train.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of foreign prisoners, by nationality, who are eligible for repatriation under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984 currently in prison.
§ Mr. MellorThe latest available information relates to prisoners held in prison department establishments on 30 June. Prisoners are eligible for repatriation if they are nationals of one of the countries which has ratified the Council of Europe convention of the transfer of sentenced persons, and have at least six months of their sentences excluding remission still to serve on the date the convention came into force between the United Kingdom and their country. From central records, which are approximate, it is estimated that on 30 June 1985 the numbers of eligible prisoners were: Sweden 1, France 11, USA 33, Spain 16, Canada 16.