HL Deb 08 March 2001 vol 623 c35WA
The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average length of detention for asylum and immigration detainees (a) in the Home Office Holding Centre Haslar; (b) in HM Prison Rochester; and (c) in detention centres in the United Kingdom as a whole. [HL991]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

Information regarding the average length of detention for immigration detainees, including those who have sought asylum, is not currently available and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What safeguards exist in the system of processing of applications and appeals to ensure that asylum seekers are not detained indefinitely or for longer than 12 months. [HL992]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

Continued detention in all cases involving persons in sole detention under Immigration Act powers is subject to a system of administrative review within the Immigration Service. The system ensures that detention is reviewed at regular intervals, starting 24 hours after detention has commenced, and continuing at weekly and monthly intervals by successively more senior officers. At 12 months detention is reviewed by the Deputy Director General (Operations) Immigration and Nationality Directorate. At each review detention must be considered to be essential for it to continue.