§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department against how many persons action was commenced as alleged illegal immigrants in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998; and how many persons were(a) detained as a result of such action and (b) removed as illegal immigrants, broken down by country of origin. [59201]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe numbers of persons against whom enforcement action was initiated under sections 3(5), 3(6) or 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 is given in tables 5.1 (Total enforcement action), 5.2 (Illegal entrants) and 5.3 (Deportation action) of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, First Half 1998", issue 24/98. Copies of this publication are available in the Library.
259WInformation on the numbers of enforcement removals, including those who left voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated by nationality, are given in the table.
Regrettably, reliable information on the total number of persons detained each year following enforcement action could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Persons removed1 as a result of enforcement action, 1996 to first half 199823 Number of persons 1996 1997 1998 Persons removed as a result of deportation action4 Europe 360 420 190 Americas 270 360 180 Africa 750 700 300 Indian sub-continent 400 360 160 Other Asia 200 200 70 Oceania 30 30 10 Other nationalities 10 10 — All nationalities 2,000 2,070 920 Persons removed as a result of illegal entry action5 Europe 1,060 1,350 780 Americas 280 240 140 Africa 720 1,040 450 Indian sub-continent 1,090 1,520 830 Other Asia 230 300 150 Oceania 10 20 10 Other nationalities 20 40 20 All nationalities 3,400 4,500 2,380 1 Including persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them 2 Data are rounded 3 1998 data are provisional and cover the first half year, 1 January to 30 June 4 Deportation action under section 3(5) or 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971 5 Illegal entry action under section 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971