HL Deb 12 February 2003 vol 644 c119WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any immigration, detention or removal centres have no chaplaincy arrangements at present; and, if so, which ones. [HL1467]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Filkin)

In accordance withThe Detention Centre Rules (SI 2001 No 238), every removal centre must appoint a manager of religious affairs. The religious affairs manager's task is to facilitate religious observance and the provision of pastoral care for detained persons, with the assistance of suitably qualified staff, including ministers of religion. Whenever a vacancy for the position of religious affairs manager occurs at a removal centre, appropriate arrangements will be made to ensure that all functions of the religious affairs office are maintained.

There are currently vacancies for the position of manager of religious affairs at Harmondsworth, Dover and Yarl's Wood.