HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc330-1W
Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the capital cost of Tinsley house immigration detention centre; and what are the terms of repayment under the private finance initiative; [31210]

(2) what are the terms of the contract concluded by Wackenhut for the operation of Tinsley house immigration detention centre. [31213]

Mr. Kirkhope

Tinsley house was not fully funded through the private finance initiative; the cost of the building works was borne by the private sector but the running of the facility is the subject of a separate contract. It would not be right to divulge the capital cost of the building, or the terms of the operating contract, as this information is commercially sensitive.

Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the annual savings from the operation of the contract by Wackenhut at Tinsley house immigration detention centre. [31211]

Mr. Kirkhope

Tinsley house is a new facility providing 150 additional detention places. The extra places will enable us to reduce the use of more expensive, less suitable, alternative accommodation and to effect the removal of more people with no entitlement to remain in this country. It is not possible to quantify the overall resultant savings to the public purse but I am satisfied that the contract with Wackenhut to run Tinsley house provides very good value for money.