HC Deb 25 March 2002 vol 382 cc590-1W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement on the fire at Yarl's Wood removal centre, 25 February 2002,Official Report, column 441, what representations he has received on access to the site by Bedfordshire fire and police services; and if he will make a statement. [41243]

Angela Eagle

In the immediate aftermath of the events at Yarl's Wood on 14–15 February 2002 a number of anecdotal claims were made in the media and elsewhere that the emergency services could not gain immediate access to the site. To date, these claims have not been substantiated. It is likely that they arise from the fact that, on arrival at the scene, the first priority for the police was to establish perimeter security and also that firefighters could not be deployed within the site until a degree of order had been re-established. These issues will, of course, be considered by the separate inquiries being conducted by the Home Office, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Group 4.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of the asylum seekers who were detained at Yarl's Wood removal centre on 14 February by(a) nationality, (b) gender, (c) length of detention, (d) the stage of application and immigration status at the time of application and (e) those aged under 18; and if he will make a statement. [41148]

Angela Eagle

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files.

Andrew Selous

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that the on-going policing requirements at the National Detention Centre of Yarl's Wood will not fall exclusively upon the Bedfordshire constabulary; [40851]

(2) if he will ensure that the (a) additional police costs and (b) costs incurred by retained firemen who have assisted with the Yarl's Wood fire will not be borne by the local authorities in Bedfordshire. [40853]

Angela Eagle

The Department is in discussion with Bedfordshire Police Authority about the policing costs of Yarl's Wood. The Government's position on this is clear. We will take whatever advice is necessary, and we will work with the police authority to protect their interests and those of the people they serve in Bedfordshire.

Policy responsibility for the funding of the fire service rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Mr. Byers).