§ Alistair BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he had on the insurance arrangements in case of riot at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre at the time of the making of the contract between Group Four and his Department for the operation of the Centre; and if he will make a statement. [38783]
§ Angela EagleThe contract with Group 4 Amey Immigration Limited requires the Contractor to effect and maintain or procure in full force and effect insurance in the joint names of the contractor and the Crown in respect of a full range of insurance.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether persons suspected of arson and attempted arson were transferred to Yarl's Wood detention centre prior to the major fire there; and if he will make a statement. [39524]
§ Angela EagleThere is at present no specific evidence that such persons were held at Yarl's Wood removal centre. However, it must be remembered that the overseas background of an individual—including any criminal activities—will not usually be known at the time of their detention.
Individuals detained under Immigration Act powers who are known or assessed to present a serious control or security risk, or those who have served a prison sentence of more than 12 months, would normally be held in prison rather than a removal centre pending the resolution of their immigration status or, if appropriate, deportation. The Immigration Service has taken steps to identify high risk individuals held in removal centres and have made arrangements for them to be transferred to prison.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training personnel received for managing Yarl's Wood removal centre; and if he will make a statement. [41150]
§ Angela EagleSection 155 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 requires that custodial functions at removal centres be performed by certified Detainee Custody Officers. A certificate of authorisation to act as a Detainee Custody Officer will not be issued unless my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant is (a) a fit and proper person to perform the functions to be authorised and (b) has received training to such standard as the Secretary of State considers appropriate for the performance of those functions. In addition to these statutory requirements, contracts to operate removal centres require the contractor to implement a full training programme for all staff, supervisors and managers in a range of appropriate skills and procedures.