HC Deb 20 May 2003 vol 405 cc757-8W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals, broken down by nationality, have been served with deportation orders on the basis that their removal from the UK was(a) conducive to the public good and (b) conducive to the public good as a consequence of a criminal conviction, in each year since 1997. [113364]

Beverley Hughes

The number of foreign nationals served with deportation orders on the basis that(a) their removals was conducive to the public good and (b) following a court recommendation in each year from 1997 is given in the table. Information on the nationalities of those people served with deportation orders is not available.

1997 1998 1999 2000 20011
Conducive to the public good2
Deportation orders made 110 120 85 175 n/a
Following court recommendation3
Deportation orders made 270 280 250 335 n/a

1 Due to data quality issues information on deportation orders made is not available for 2001.2 Under section 3(5)(b) of the immigration act 1971.3 Under section 3(6) of the immigration act 1971.
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are specified offences which, if committed by a foreign national, would trigger deportation proceedings on the basis that their removal from the UK was conducive to the public good; and if he will make a statement. [113365]

Beverley Hughes

We will normally consider taking deportation action where someone subject to immigration control has been convicted of an offence under the Immigration Acts, any offence of violence against the person or any drugs offence, or any other offence where a custodial sentence of 12 months or more has been imposed. Deportation is not automatic, however, and each case is considered in the light of the individual circumstances.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors are taken into consideration when a decision is taken to serve a deportation order on a foreign national on the grounds that his removal from the UK would be conducive to the public good. [113418]

Beverley Hughes

The principal factors which are taken into account when deciding whether or not to deport someone are set out in paragraph 364 of the Immigration Rules. In considering whether deportation is the right course on the merits, the public interest, including, where applicable, any national security implications, will be balanced against any compassionate circumstances of the case.

Forward to