§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British citizens have in the past 12 months left the United Kingdom with their spouses as a result of a deportation order being served on the spouse; in how many cases the travel cost of the British citizen was paid out of public funds; and what was the total sum involved. [13305]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIt is our normal policy to offer a public expense departure to any dependants (spouse and minor children) who wish to accompany a deportee on removal from the United Kingdom.
Details about British citizens who elect to leave the United Kingdom in this way are not recorded centrally and the costs of their travel are not distinguishable.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deportation orders have been made in each of the last four years against persons aged over 60 years; and how many such persons have been deported. [13346]
§ Mr. Mike O'Brien[holding answer 30 October 1997]: The numbers of deportation orders made, and the numbers of removals effected, against persons aged over 60 years when the relevant action was taken, are given in the table. The numbers deported do not include persons removed as illegal entrants or under port refusal procedures. 23W
Action taken against persons aged over 60 years1 under the deportation process2 1994–19973 1994 1995 1996 19973 Deportation orders made 32 65 65 17 Persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process2 4 5 40 62 55 28 1Covers persons aged over 60 years when the relevant action took place. 2 Excludes persons removed as illegal entrants. 3 Provisional figures for January for September 1997. 4 Includes voluntary departures after deportation action had been initiated. 5 Some removals relate to deportation orders made in previous years.