§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they have not published the Immigration Service Instruction, dated 3 December 1991, which contains the guidelines for detention of asylum seekers, on the Home Office website. [HL3353]
§ Lord Williams of MostynI refer the noble Lord to the reply given to a Question from my noble friend Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 6 April 1998 (WA 98), in which I explained that I was placing a copy of the disclosable version of four of the six volumes of the Immigration Directorates' Instructions (IDIs) in the Library. I also refer the noble Lord to the reply given to a Question from my noble friend Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld on 9 July 1998 (WA 149), in which I explained that the disclosable version of the IDIs is being placed on the Internet.
The instruction to which the noble Lord refers has been superseded by guidance which now forms part of Volume 6 of the IDIs. This is one of the two volumes which were not originally disclosed. We are examining further the question of disclosure of the remaining two volumes in so far as they relate to immigration casework.
Further guidance on this subject is also contained in the Operational Enforcement Manual for immigration officers. Disclosure of this manual is also under consideration. I shall make a further statement in due course.