HC Deb 22 June 2000 vol 352 cc249-50W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the planned capacity is of each of the proposed detention centres at Thurleigh, Harmondsworth and Aldington; what criteria will be used to allocate(a) asylum seekers and (b) other immigrants to these centres; and if he will make a statement. [127354]

Mrs. Roche

It is proposed that there will be 900 places for immigration detainees at the detention centre at Thurleigh, 550 at Harmondsworth and about 300 at Aldington. People are detained under powers set out in the Immigration Act 1971. Although many have claimed asylum at some time they will be detained because of their status as inadmissible passengers, illegal entrants or people subject to deportation. The primary criterion is whether the person is unlikely to comply with conditions of temporary admission or their removal directions. No particular criteria will attach to these three new centres. The allocation of immigration detainees into a particular centre is primarily dependent on the availability of space and the location of the place of initial detention.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria will be used to select the asylum seekers to be detained at Lindholme; what his target is for the average length of time for which an asylum seeker will remain at Lindholme; and if he will make a statement. [127356]

Mrs. Roche

Lindholme will be used as part of the detention estate, housing, principally, those immigration detainees apprehended in the North of England. The criteria for the use of Lindholme will be the same as for other centres. It will be for illegal entrants, inadmissible passengers and those subject to deportation who are detained under powers in the Immigration Act 1971. Many of these people have claimed asylum at some stage. Detention is used where it is believed a person is unlikely to comply with conditions of temporary admission or their removal directions.

There is no target for the average length of time for which a detainee will remain at Lindholme. Detention must be proportionate and for the minimum period necessary.