§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will give instructions to end the practice of transferring Immigration Act detainees from detention centres to prisons for alleged indiscipline or disruptive behaviour, and, if not, why not.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)Immigration detention centres are run on the lines of secure hostels allowing detainees free movement and association within a secure perimeter. The accommodation is unsuitable for disruptive detainees. There will continue to be a need to transfer to the more secure conditions provided by Prison Service establishments those detainees whose behaviour poses a threat to their own safety or to that of staff or other detainees, or when the good order and discipline of the centre requires this to be done.
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to end the practice of holding Immigration Act detainees in police cells, and, if so, when.
§ Baroness BlatchThe initial detention of an immigration offender arrested within the United Kingdom will continue to require the use of police cells. However, the Immigration (Places of Detention) Direction 1994 limits detention under these powers in police cells to a maximum of five days (seven days if directions for removal within that period have been given). Every effort is made to transfer Immigration Act detainees to more suitable accommodation as soon as this can be arranged.
59WA
§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for improving medical care and facilities at existing Immigration Act detention centres.
§ Baroness BlatchDetainees in immigration detention centres and Prison Service establishments have access on a daily basis to a doctor. There is also a nurse present daily at the Harmondsworth, Gatwick Airport and the Campsfield House detention centres. A detainee who requires further medical attention may be transferred to a prison or outside hospital. The Government are satisfied that these arrangements, which are reviewed regularly, provide satisfactory medical care and facilities at existing Immigration Act detention centres.