§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons charged with criminal offences arising out of the fire at Yarl's Wood have received legal aid to instruct solicitors and counsel; [68635]
(2) in relation to the fire at Yarl's Wood, how many criminal charges have been preferred; what the nationalities of those charged are; and what the charges are; [68652]
(3) in relation to the fire at Yarl's Wood, what allegations of crimes against Kosovan women were reported which did not result in charges being preferred. [68633]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 9 July 2002]: These are all matters which should be addressed to the Chief Officer of the Bedfordshire police. However, I understand that 12 people have been charged with violent disorder in relation to the incident at Yarl's Wood. Of these, five are Nigerian, two are Algerian, two are Albanian, one is Kosovan, one is Yugoslav and one is from the Ivory Coast. I further understand that all of these people have received legal aid to instruct solicitors and counsel.
Reported allegations of crimes against Kosovan women is also a matter for the Chief Officer of Bedfordshire police. However, I understand that there have been no such allegations.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many potential witnesses in relation to criminal trials arising out of the Yarl's Wood fire have been(a) removed and (b) deported; and whether arrangements will be made for their return to give evidence. [68654]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 9 July 2002]: Information about the number of witnesses who have been removed is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by an examination of individual case files. There is, however, an existing procedure in place for the police to contact the Immigration Service should they wish to request the return of a prosecution witness to attend a trial where there is a reason to believe that a person will not qualify for entry.
§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the fire at Yarl's Wood, how many persons absconded following the fire; how many have been recaptured; and what criminal charges have been laid against those recaptured. [68653]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 9 July 2002]: In the immediate aftermath of events at Yarl's Wood on 14–15 February 2002 there were 21 detainees unaccounted for. Of these 15 remain unaccounted for. They are believed to have absconded during the fire and disturbance and efforts to trace and apprehend them are continuing.
Whether there should be any criminal charges against those concerned is a matter for the police.
1076W
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the cause of the clashes between detainees and Group 4 staff at Yarl's Wood prior to the fire; and if he will make a statement. [67676]
§ Beverley HughesStephen Moore is currently heading a Home Office investigation into the events at Yarl's Wood and we await his recommendations. It would be inappropriate to comment further at the present time.