HC Deb 27 January 1997 vol 289 cc1-2W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that all people held in custody under immigration law will be given the reasons for their incarceration in writing in their mother tongue; and if he will make a statement. [13055]

Mr. Kirkhope

All immigration detainees are fully informed of the reasons for their detention. This is done orally, in a language which the person understands, through an interpreter if necessary. The Government see no justification for providing written reasons.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the current total of immigration detainees are(a) awaiting deportation. (b) awaiting an appeal and (c) not subject to any process. [13060]

Mr. Kirkhope

There were 891 persons recorded as being in detention solely under Immigration Act powers on 11 December 1996. This figure excludes non-asylum port cases who have been in detention for less than a month; information on such persons is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Information on the current stage of the 891 cases is given in the table.

Persons in detention solely under Immigration Act powers on 11 December 1996
Current stage of case Number of person
Asylum seekers
Awaiting initial decision 152
Awaiting result of appeal 379
Awaiting removal after refusal 223
Persons in detention solely under Immigration Act powers on 11 December 1996
Current stage of case Number of persons
Other persons
Deportation cases awaiting removal 30
Deportation cases awaiting appeal decision 20
Other cases1 87
Total 891
1 Information on these cases could be provided only at disproportionate cost.