§ Lord Eamesasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many persons were detained in Northern Ireland in the year ending 31 December 2001 while 248WA seeking asylum in the United Kingdom; and (b) how many in this category are currently in detention; and [HL2882]
What was the average length of detention in Northern Ireland of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom in the year ending December 2001; and [HL2884]
How many of those seeking asylum in the United Kingdom detained in Northern Ireland in the year ending 31 December 2001 were granted asylum in the United Kingdom. [HL2885]
§ Lord RookerThe latest available information on the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers relates to 30 September 2001. As at that date, there were fewer than five persons who had sought asylum at some stage who were being detained in Northern Ireland.
I regret that the requested information on the total number of asylum seekers detained in Northern Ireland in 2001, how many of these have been granted asylum, and their average length of detention, is not available and could only be obtained by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.
Information on Immigration Act detainees as at 29 December 2001 will be published on 28 February 2002 on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl/html.