§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many pregnant women have been detained under the Asylum Acts since the start of 2002; and whether they will keep detailed records of women so detained, giving the reasons for each detention, and publish a summary at the end of each month. [HL6121]
§ Lord Filkin:Pregnant women are not normally considered suitable for detention under the Immigration Acts unless there is a clear prospect of early removal from the United Kingdom and medical advice suggests no question of confinement prior to this. In addition, women in the early stages of pregnancy may be detained briefly at Oakington Reception Centre as part of the fast-track asylum process.
The latest available information on persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers relates to 29 June 2002. As at that date, there were fewer than five women in detention who were known to be pregnant, all of whom were at Oakington Reception Centre.
Information on how many persons have been detained since the start of 2002 is not available except by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.