§ Mr. LintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were held in Battersea police stations in the past 12 months; and what was the average length of detention. [158736]
§ Mrs. RocheThe information requested is only held in manual form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1 April, the immigration service has sought to transfer individuals held by the police solely under Immigration Act 1988 powers to dedicated immigration detention facilities after no more than one night spent in custody at a police station.