§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice has been given by the Immigration Service to the Metropolitan Police regarding those persons detained at Harmondsworth Immigration Detention Centre on 20 July who have since been removed from the United Kingdom or given temporary admission into this country; and what procedures are in place to enable the return of potential witnesses from abroad if this is necessary in connection with any current prosecutions arising from disturbances at Harmondsworth on 20 July. [HL4152]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe Immigration Service is maintaining records of all those held in Harmondsworth Removals Centre at the time of the disturbance. These records have been made available to the Metropolitan Police. The Metropolitan Police have been advised to refer to the Immigration Service any requests for the return of potential witnesses from abroad.
There is a recognised procedure in place for the Police to contact the Immigration Service should they wish to request the return of a prosecution witness to attend a trial where there is reason to believe that the person will not qualify for entry. The Immigration Service will consider any such requests on the individual merits of the case, balancing the need to maintain the integrity of the immigration control against the criminal justice issues. In reaching a decision, the Immigration Service will look at all the relevant information, including the person's immigration history, criminal convictions (if any), the importance of their evidence to the court as well as reasons why they cannot give evidence from abroad by video link.