HC Deb 27 April 2001 vol 367 c436W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Oakington Reception Centre will operate at full capacity. [159402]

Mrs. Roche

Oakington has been fully operational since 28 January 2001.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applicants were held at Oakington during the financial year 2000–01; what the average period of time was for which an asylum seeker stayed at Oakington; and if he will make a statement. [159403]

Mrs. Roche

From 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001, there were 5,064 principal applicants received at Oakington. These consisted of 4,430 single applicants and 634 families (with 1,210 dependants). Although data for the financial year are not available, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate estimate that the average stay was between seven and 10 days.