HC Deb 07 December 1995 vol 268 cc358-9W
Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number of illegal immigrants have been granted bail in each of the last 36 months; and what requirement they must meet in order to receive social security payments. [4593]

Mr. Kirkhope

Statistics are not available on immigration offenders granted bail. The other information requested is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people(a) entered the country illegally and (b) were apprehended entering the United Kingdom illegally by (i) lorry, (ii) small boat and (iii) light aircraft, in each of the last 36 months. [4592]

Mr. Kirkhope

There are no official estimates of the number of people who have entered the United Kingdom illegally. The number of illegal entrants detected in each of the last three years for which statistics have been published are:

  • 1992: 5,658
  • 1993: 5,778
  • 1994: 7,389 (provisional).

Information about the means by which these people entered, claimed to have entered or attempted to enter illegally is not maintained centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.