§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will issue instructions to the managers of Immigration Acts detention centres to consult appropriate authorities of each religion when appointing visiting ministers. [HL254]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)The Detention Centre Rules 2001 require the appointment of a religious affairs manager at every Immigration Service detention centre, whose task it will be to ensure that arrangements are made to provide for the various religious needs of those in detention, including access to appropriate ministers of religion. In addition, where the Secretary of State considers that the number of persons of a particular religion in a detention centre is such as to require the appointment to the centre of a minister of that religion, he may appoint such a minister. Separately, we have set up a Religious Affairs Advisory Group comprised of representatives of the main religions likely to be found in detention centres. This group will be available to offer advice on religious affairs issues within detention centres, including guidance on appropriate religious bodies or organisations to approach in connection with the appointment of ministers of religion.