HL Deb 11 October 2004 vol 665 cc20-1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the reports of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons on Dover and Haslar, what steps they are taking to ensure that asylum claimants and migrants are not detained unnecessarily or for long periods. [HL4090]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Detention is used sparingly and for the shortest period necessary. However, the power to detain must be retained to preserve the integrity of immigration control. Detention at Dover and Haslar, as with other immigration removal centres, is most usually appropriate in the following circumstances: initially, to establish identity and the basis of claim; where there are reasonable grounds for believing that an individual will not comply with the conditions of temporary admission or release; or to effect removal. In all cases detention is subject to regular and frequent review at successively higher levels within the Immigration Service to ensure that continued detention remains appropriate.

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