HC Deb 21 January 1994 vol 235 cc925-6W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total amount paid to private security firms for escorting detainees and their dependants overseas in 1993.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The amount was £257,035, excluding ticketing costs.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which private security firms are used by carriers required by the immigration service to effect the removal of a passenger refused leave to enter;

(2) what checks his Department makes on private security firms employed by carriers required by the immigration service to effect the removal of a passenger refused leave to enter.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Where directions are given to carriers under paragraph 8 of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 to remove people refused leave to enter, the carrier is responsible for all the arrangements necessary to comply with the directions. This includes making arrangements for any escort considered by the carrier to be necessary, the selection of the escorts and ensuring they are able to perform their duties satisfactorily. Where removal is directed at public expense under paragraph 10 of schedule 2 to the Act, any in-flight escort judged necessary is arranged by the immigration service in accordance with its normal policy.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that medical records of deportees are consulted before drugs are administered.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Where the medical records of a person being deported are available, they are already consulted as necessary before the administration of any medication.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ban the administration of drugs during deportations.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The administration of medication to a deportee is a matter for a medical practitioner to decide.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which companies manufacture the arm and leg restraints and body belts with handcuffs used during deportations;

(2) if he will publish his Department's regulations relating to the materials, size and specification of restraints used in deportations.

Mr. Charles Wardle

I understand that the body belt and leg restraints are manufactured to a specification developed by the Metropolitan police and manufactured by its stores department. Hiatt and Company Ltd. supplies the Metropolitan police with handcuffs in accordance with standards evaluated by the Home Office police scientific development branch and approved by the Home Office and Association of Chief Police Officers in consultation with the Police Complaints Authority. The standard handcuff is manufactured from steel with either a chain or hinge link and the Quick-Kuff is made from steel with a nylon grip.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of in-flight escorts for deportations have been provided by private security firms since August 1993.

Mr. Charles Wardle

In the period from 1 August to 31 December 1993, 93 per cent. of the in-flight escorts for people being removed at public expense—including deportees—were provided by the private sector.