HC Deb 25 November 1993 vol 233 cc158-9W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan Tamils have been deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The information available relates to all Sri Lankan citizens deported and is given in the table. No distinction is made in statistical records between Tamils and other Sri Lankans.

Sri Lankan citizens removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process
Year Number
1991 4
1992 6
11993 5
1January to September

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the present position of the Sri Lankan Tamils at present detained at Harmondsworth detention centre, stating how long each person has been detained at this centre, what is the reason for their being detained there and when he expects a decision regarding their case to be arrived at.

Mr. Charles Wardle

On 23 November five Sri Lankan citizens were detained at Harmondsworth detention centre. Three had been held since July—14, 16 and 24 respectively —one since 21 August and one since 6 October. The reason for detention in each case was that the immigration service was not satisfied the applicant would comply with conditions of temporary admission. Four of the applicants have been refused asylum and await determination of their appeals. A decision on the one remaining appliction will be taken as soon as possible.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan Tamils are at present detained in prison in England and Wales awaiting adjudicators' decisions as to their status and right to remain in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Charles Wardle

None.