§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued on access of persons detained at police stations for immigration offences to hon. Members. [68797]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Home Office has not issued guidelines on access to Members of Parliament by persons detained under Immigration Act powers and held at police stations. Such detainees may be allowed to contact a Member of Parliament, or anyone else and to receive a visit from a Member of Parliament, or anyone else, at the discretion of the police custody officer.
Home Office booklets have been issued providing "Information for Members of Parliament about immigration and nationality enquiries" and "Guidelines on the handling of representations by Members of Parliament in immigration cases". These booklets seek to help Members of Parliament decide whether or not to make representations in immigration cases and to decide whether those representations should be directed to Home Office Ministers or direct to the Immigration and Nationality Department.