§ Kali MountfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries from which he considers people need not claim political asylum. [26347]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienIn accordance with our international obligations, we consider all applications for asylum in the United Kingdom on their merits and against the criteria for recognition as a refugee contained in the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Anyone who satisfies those criteria will be granted asylum.
§ Mr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to accommodate asylum and immigration detainees in Scotland in premises other than HM Prisons; and if he will make a statement; [25218]
(2) what recent representations he has received concerning the use of prisons to accommodate asylum and immigration detainees in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [25216]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienDue to the relatively low numbers of persons held in Scottish prisons under sole immigration powers, it would be difficult to justify a custom built facility solely for Immigration Act detainees. However, further discussions are being held with the Scottish Prison Service to explore any possible alternatives.
A number of letters has been received from members of the public and interested groups urging support for Early Day Motion 253, which contains an amendment seeking the construction of an immigration detention centre at Glasgow airport.
§ Mr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the privately-owned detention centres used for the accommodation of asylum and immigration detainees in terms of(a) size and (b) ownership and location; and if he will make a statement; [25215]
(2) how many detention centres are used to house asylum and immigration detainees; and if he will make a statement. [25217]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTinsley House Detention Centre at Gatwick Airport, Sussex, is leased by the Immigration Service from Lynton PLC and has 150 detention spaces.
Campsfield House Detention Centre at Kidlington, Oxfordshire, and Harmondsworth Detention Centre near Heathrow Airport are both owned by the Home Office and have current capacity for 110 and 91 detainees respectively.