HC Deb 10 December 1992 vol 215 cc733-4W
Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) suicides and (b) attempted suicides have occured at Harmondsworth immigration detention centre in each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Charles Wardle

One suicide has occurred in Harmondsworth detention centre over this period. It occurred in 1990.

Records of incidents of self-injury by detainees which might amount to attempted suicide have been maintained only since 1986. The number of such incidents is as follows:

Number
1986 Nil
1987 4
1988 2
1989 1
1990 Nil
1991 Nil
11992 Nil
1 To date.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of holding an immigration detainee at(a) Harmondsworth immigration detention centre and (b) Her Majesty's prison, Haslar.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Harmondsworth detention centre is managed under contracts, and the costs involved are not disclosed on grounds of commercial confidentiality. The average net operating cost per inmate per week for all prison service establishments for the financial year to 31 March 1992 was £406, and it would be reasonable to assume that the cost of accommodating immigration detainees at Haslar is of a similar order.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths in custody have occurred at Harmondsworth immigration detention centre in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

One death has occurred at Harmondsworth detention centre over this period. It occurred in 1990. A fire at the centre in 1989 resulted in the subsequent death in hospital of one detainee.