HC Deb 12 December 1995 vol 268 cc600-1W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a breakdown of the number of asylum seekers held in detention in(a) 1979, (b) 1983, (c) 1987 and (d) 1992 by (i) nationality, (ii) gender, (iii) length of detention, (iv) place of detention and (v) immigration status at the time of application; and if he will make a statement. [5368]

Mr. Kirkhope

The available information on the number of asylum seekers detained as at 3 April 1992 is given in table 7.1 of Home Office statistical bulletin, "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1990–91", issue 12/92. A copy of this publication is available in the Library. Information on the number of detained asylum seekers for earlier years is not available.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statements on asylum and immigration,Official Report, column 335, if he will list for each of the principal abuses cited the steps he has taken by (a) administrative and (b) by other means to eliminate each one other than by means of pursuing a change in legislation. [4480]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 6 December 1995]: As my right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his statement on 20 November, substantial resources have been invested in our asylum procedures. Further investment as well as procedural and administration improvements are now proposed in addition to our own proposals for primary legislation.