HC Deb 26 July 1988 vol 138 cc196-7W
Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table in theOfficial Report, showing, for each month since January 1986, the number of people held in detention, while awaiting the result of an application for political asylum, who injured themselves or attempted suicide.

Mr. Renton

No statistical information is maintained relating specifically to detailed political asylum applicants who have injured themselves or attempted suicide. I shall write to the hon. Member with such information as we can make available.

Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table in theOfficial Report showing, for each year since 1979, the number of people who were held in detention while awaiting a decision on a request for political asylum and the proportion they constituted of the total numbers of people seeking asylum.

Mr. Renton

The information readily available about detention was given in response to a question from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, West (Mr. Randall) on 12 July, at column 106. Figures for the number of applications received for refugee status or asylum were given in table 1 of of the Home Office statistical bulletin, "Refugee Statistics, United Kingdom", 1987, issue 16/88, copies of which are in the Library.

Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used to decide whether or not an applicant for United Kingdom political asylum is held in detention until a decision is made.

Mr. Renton

Consideration is given to the grant of temporary admission, or temporary release in respect of illegal entrants, in all cases where a person is liable to be detained under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971. The power to detain is used sparingly and temporary admission or release is readily granted where the immigration officer is satisfield that the person will comply with its terms. The need for detention is kept under regular review.

Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to assess the psychiatric condition of applicants for political asylum.

Mr. Renton

There is no routine psychiatric assessment of asylum seekers, but any known medical factors are taken fully into account in the consideration of their application. When an asylum applicant is detained there is access to medical care where necessary at all times.