HL Deb 23 November 2000 vol 619 cc93-4WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that bail summaries are disclosed at least 48 hours before a bail hearing in an immigration case so that lawyers can represent their clients effectively at bail hearings. [HL4623]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

I am unfortunately unable to give the guarantee sought by the noble Lord. The Immigration Service port or office dealing with the detainee often receives very little notice of a bail hearing, and summaries are frequently written a very short period of time before the hearing. It is therefore common practice for the Home Office presenting officer to give the detainee's representative copies of the summary at or shortly before the hearing.

However bail summaries do not normally contain information which is new to the detainee or his representative. Every detainee is informed in writing of the reasons for his detention.