§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the hijackers of the Afghan jet which landed at Stansted airport(a) have been deported and (b) remain in the UK. [31399]
§ Angela EagleNone of those recently convicted of hijacking the Afghan jet which landed at Stansted airport have been deported. All those convicted have made asylum applications. For those who have been given long sentences, decisions on their immigration status, including the question of deportation from the United Kingdom, will be taken towards the end of those sentences: the situation in Afghanistan could change significantly by the time they are released and a decision taken now might not be relevant in two years time. The applications of those who received shorter sentences, two of whom have now been released, are under consideration now.
Nine convicted hijackers remain in the United Kingdom. One suspected hijacker was too ill to stand trial: a medical report is awaited.