§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why detainees held in immigration and asylum centres, pending determination of their cases, are denied access to the Internet. [HL3702]
§ Lord Williams of MostynImmigration Act detainees held in Immigration detention centres have no access to the Internet. However they do have unrestricted access to postal services and telephones and in case of emergency can use fax facilities. Internet access has been considered in consultation with detention centre contractors but has been rejected as we do not believe that the current level of access control and restrictions are sufficient to meet our security requirements. This decision is subject to review should access controls be tightened satisfactorily to ensure that no information which could compromise the security of detention centres and the safety of detainees, visitors and staff would be available to detainees.