HC Deb 08 May 1990 vol 172 c27W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overstayers were deported in the latest available year where evidence has been brought forward that they were in stable marriages to British citizens with the right of abode.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the results of the police and immigration officers' investigation carried out at weddings being held on 21 April at(a) Hackney and (b) Walthamstow and (i) how many people were detained, (ii) how many have since been charged and (iii) with what offence.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

In a joint Metropolitan police/immigration service operation on 21 April, eight persons were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to contravene the Immigration Act 1971. Three persons were arrested at Hackney register office; four in a simultaneous visit to an address in Walthamstow; and one further arrest was made at a separate address later that day.

Three of those arrested were subsequently released without charge and two persons have been given bail to return to the police station on 15 May. Three persons have been charged with conspiracy to contravene the Immigration Act 1971 contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 (as amended)—two remanded in custody, the third released on bail.