HC Deb 12 May 2003 vol 405 c60W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce his decision on whether he intends to apply for planning permission to develop an accommodation centre at the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent for political asylum seekers. [112370]

Beverley Hughes

Our assessment of this site is ongoing. I will make an announcement as soon as this process is complete and I have considered the assessment.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in asylum removal centres are not being detained pending removal. [112146]

Beverley Hughes

The information requested is not available and would be available only by examination of individual case-files at disproportionate cost.

While our principal focus for the use of detention is in support of the removal of failed asylum seekers and others, we have made clear that there will continue to be a need to detain persons in other circumstances, specifically while identity and basis of claim are established, where there is a risk of absconding, or (in the case of straightforward asylum claims that can be decided quickly) as part of fast-track asylum procedures.