HC Deb 15 December 1994 vol 251 cc748-9W
Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost in 1993—94 to the Prison Service of holding persons detained under Immigration Act powers.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Robert Ainsworth, dated 15 December 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the total cost in 1993–94 to the Prison Service of holding persons detained under Immigration Act powers. Most detainees are held in local prisons and remand centres, in which the average annual cost per place in 1993–94 was £21,373. We do not collect details of the costs for different types of prisoners.

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons detained under Immigration Act powers were held in Prison Service established in 1993.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Robert Ainsworth, dated 15 December 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent question asking how many persons detained under Immigration Act powers were held in Prison Service establishments in 1993. Provisional information shows that in 1993 1,840 persons were received into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales under Immigration Act powers. On average 430 such persons were held in Prison Service establishments during the year.