HC Deb 24 March 1994 vol 240 cc346-7W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to Group 4 staff in the care and welfare of immigration detainees.

Mr. Charles Wardle

All Group 4 Total Security Ltd. staff employed under contract to provide detention management services receive a minimum of 15 days' initial training on all aspects of health and safety, race relations, domestic management and the duty of care towards immigration detainees. A refresher course is provided after one year's service and at yearly intervals thereafter.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were on hunger strike on 18 March; and how many in each centre were involved in this form of protest.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The numbers of immigration detainees refusing meals on 18 March 1994 were as follows:

Location Number
Campsfield House detention centre 82
Haslar holding centre 37
Harmondsworth detention centre 16
HMP Canterbury 18
HMP High Down 6
HMP Birmingham 3
HMP Blakenhurst 3
HMP Bullingdon 2
HMP Pentonville 2
Total 169