HC Deb 20 February 1997 vol 290 c738W
20. Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently detained in prisons and in detention centres. [15301]

Mr. Kirkhope

As at 31 January 1997, there were a total of 768 persons whose detention resulted solely from powers conferred by schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971 and who had sought asylum at some stage.