Parliamentary questions on detention
Below are detention related parliamentary questions that have been asked since September 2011. Some of the NGOs are also working together via the Detention Forum to co-ordinate parliamentary questions so that relevant questions can be asked strategically by MPs and Peers. We will do this monthly to ensure that the issue of immigration detention remains alive in the Parliament. If your organisation wants to be involved, please contact us at detentionforum(at)gmail.com.
6 Feb 2012
Oral Answers to Questions – Child Detention (UK Ports) asked by Jo Swinson MP
31 Jan 2012
Whether the NHS Commissioning Board will have responsibility for commissioning healthcare in the detention centres from April 2013 asked by Simon Kirby MP “The Department (of Health) will assume policy responsibility for immigration removal centre (IRC) healthcare commissioning policy from the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) from1 April 2012. UKBA budgetary provision and commissioning responsibility for healthcare in IRCs will be transferred to the Department during 2012-13 and, subject to legislation, these responsibilities will be fully transferred to the National Health Service Commissioning Board by April 2014.”
19 Jan 2012
The number of people who have died in detention centres from 1995 asked by Greg Mulholland MP “The requested information is not available for all the years.” “A subset of published information on people leaving detention shows that there were: two deaths of non-UK citizens in 2005; one death between 1. January and September 2006; two deaths in 2010; and three deaths between 1 January and 30 September 2011. These figures exclude those in police cells, Prison Service establishments, short term holding rooms at ports and airports (for fewer than 24 hours), and those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers and their dependants.”
17 Jan 2012
The cost of running Morton Hall detention centre and other questions relating to Morton Hall asked by Priti Patel MP “UK Border Agency will pay £10,680,000 to the National Offender Management Service in 2011-12 under the service level agreement for the running of Morton Hall immigration removal centre. The UK Border Agency will also pay £491,244 to the National Offender Management Service in 2011-12 for the start-up costs.” In other words, over £11 million was spent on Morton Hall detention centre in 2011/12.
16 Jan 2012
What arrangements there are to ensure that detained women can maintain contact with their children and how many pregnant women were detained and for how long asked by Richard Fuller MP
12 Jan 2012
When gender equality impact assessments for detention centres will be completed asked by Richard Fuller MP “Gender equality impact assessments for immigration removal centres and short-term holding facilities where women are held will be completed by summer 2012.”
The number of women detained in 2011 and whether they were deported or released asked by Richard Fuller MP
10 Jan 2012
The number of victims of trafficking who are detained, why they are subject to detention and whether their mental health is monitored asked by Lord Hylton “The Government are aware of 67 women who were held in immigration detention between 1 April 2009 and 26 October 2011 and who were later identified as victims of trafficking.”
10 Jan 2012
The number of detainees who were released from detention between April and June 2011 and were removed or given leave to remain in the UK asked by Priti Patel MP ”Of the 7,345 individuals who were granted temporary admission or release on leaving detention in 2010, 1,544 individuals have subsequently been removed from the UK, and 2,316 individuals have subsequently been granted leave to remain in the UK.” In other words, 32% of people released from detention in that period should not have been detained at all.
20 Dec 2011
A list of assets with a value of £250,000 or more Home Office has bought since May 2010 asked by Gareth Thomas MP Almost £60 millon was spent on detention centre assets by UKBA between May 2010 and Nov 2011.
15 Dec 2011
The number of children under 16 held in detention for immigration purposes in (a) May 2011, (b) January 2011 and (c) June 2010 asked by Jeremy Corbyn MP ‘The latest published management information for the number of children under 16 years of age entering detention, held solely under Immigration Act powers in immigration removal centres, short term holding facilities and pre departure accommodation at Cedars is six in October 2011; seven in May 2011; two in January 2011 and 26 in June 2010.’
Types of appeals 74 people detained longer than two years referred to in the Immigration Statistics April to June 2011 are lodging and how long these people have lived in the UK asked by Priti Patel MP More than 80% of them lived in the UK longer than 5 years, and 25% of them have lived in the UK longer than 10 years. 53% of them have travel document related barriers to removal.
5 Dec 2011
UKBA’s performance in arresting and detaining those who do not comply with immigration controls asked by Tony Baldry MP ’The UK Border Agency’s enforcement operation remains focused on arresting, detaining and removing illegal migrants.’ In response to another question by the same MP, Damian Green replied ‘The UK Border Agency has established local immigration teams across the UK to gather intelligence, tackle illegal working, and track down and detain immigration offenders.’
The amount of investment in pre-departure accommodation made since May 2010 by UKBA asked by Pete Wishart ‘The full cost of the refurbishment of the building and grounds at Cedars to provide the accommodation is approximately £5.2 million which includes all building works, consultancy, furniture and fittings, security and IT.’
29 Nov 2011
The number of children moved from Scotland to pre-departure accommodation prior to their removal in the last 12 months asked by Pete Wishart MP One child in November 2011.
The number of children moved from Scotland to Yarls Wood Immigration Removal Centre since May 2010 asked by Pete Wishart MP None.
The daily average cost of detaining an individual on immigration-related grounds asked by Priti Patel MP ‘The average daily cost of holding an individual in the UKBA detention estate for 2011-12 is estimated at £102.’
23 Nov 2011
Which contractors provide security for pre-departure accommodation (Cedars) asked by Pete Wishart MP G4S Care and Justice Services (UK) Ltd.
The average length of time individuals spend in pre-departure accommodation asked by Pete Wishart MP ‘Published statistics on people detained in the pre-departure accommodation at Cedars by length of detention during the third quarter of 2011 will be published on 24 November 2011 in the Immigration Statistics: July to September 2011 release.’ (The latest stats is available here.)
The longest period that an individual spent in pre-departure accommodation since May 2010 asked by Pete Wishart MP ‘Pre-departure accommodation came into effect on 1 March 2011 as part of the new family returns process. Under this process families have been accommodated initially at Tinsley House Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) and since its opening on 17 August 2011, solely at Cedars pre-departure accommodation.’ ‘The longest period that an individual was accommodated under the family returns process was at Tinsley House IRC. The length of stay was 3.16 days, or 75 hours and 45 minutes.’ (The latest stats is available here.)
Whether removals of children enforced in Scotland are made directly from a Scottish departure port or via a UKBA facility elsewhere asked by Pete Wishart MP ‘Removals will be through a Scottish point of departure where suitable flights are available. Where there are no suitable flights from Scotland removal will occur through one of the larger UK airports.’
If the Independent Family Returns Panel has made any recommendations that a family should not be detained asked by Pete Wishart MP ’The Independent Family Returns Panel was established in March 2011 as part of the new process for managing family returns. It advises the UK Border Agency on the method of removal from the UK of individual families when an ensured return is necessary. The UK Border Agency no longer detains families in immigration removal centres as part of ensured returns (other than, exceptionally, for high-risk or criminal cases). Since August, the options for ensured return include (but are not limited to) holding families for a short period in pre-departure accommodation, known as Cedars. Plans are drawn up by the UK Border Agency and referred to the panel. After discussion with the UK Border Agency, the panel advises on whether the plan (including any proposal to use Cedars) represents an appropriate method of return which takes sufficient account of the safeguarding and welfare needs of the children. The panel may advise that the plan be amended and there is a presumption that this advice will be accepted. If, exceptionally, the UK Border Agency does not accept the panel’s advice, the case will be referred to me, as the Minister for Immigration, for a decision. The panel will include in its annual report any instances where its advice is not accepted. To date, there have been no instances where the UK Border Agency has not accepted the panel’s advice so no referrals to me have been made. The UK Border Agency retains the ability to detain families at the border while enquiries are made and/or pending a return flight. The panel considers the overall handling of this process to assess whether detention is being kept to a minimum, but it does not advise on individual cases.’
How individuals detained prior to removal are transproted from Scotland to UKBA facilities or departure ports in other parts of the UK asked by Pete Wishart MP ‘Detainees are normally moved by road in escorting vehicles.’ ‘Detainees may occasionally be transferred from Scotland to departure ports in other parts of the UK by domestic flight.’
The number of no-notice removals of failed asylum seekers and migrants with irregular status undertaken by the UKBA in each of the last 12 months asked by Pete Wishart MP ‘The number of same day port removals undertaken in each of the last 12 months could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual records at disproportionate cost.’
21 Nov 2011
The information on the private security companies contracted to carry out enforcement of deportation orders and their costs asked by Pete Wishart MP The contract is held by Reliance since May 2011. The total value of the contracts have increased from approx £33.5 million to about £55.7 million, an increase of 46%.
15 Nov 2011
The number of people deported by the UKBA who were accompanied by (a) officials and (b) contractors on their removal from the UK asked by Pete Wishart MP ’At least one UK Border Agency member of staff accompanies every chartered flight leaving the United Kingdom.’ Between April and June 2011, ‘of 3,850 individuals removed from the UK on leaving immigration detention, 669 were escorted on scheduled flights’.
Progress made to end the detention of children for immigration purposes asked by Lisa Nandy MP
8 Nov 2011
The number of occasions control and restraint has been used on children as part of the enforced removal process asked by Julian Huppert MP
What steps are taken to revise the risk assessment of foreign national ex-offenders contained in the Enforcement Instructions and Guidance asked by Julian Huppert MP ‘The UK Border Agency will also review the template and guidance for making the initial detention decision to ensure that all detention decisions are based on a sound consideration of the evidence.’
7 Nov 2011
What steps UKBA has taken to reduce the number of immigration detainees held for over 12 months asked by Julian Huppert MP ‘We have also put in place a package of measures to improve the quality of detention decisions and documentation.’
1 Nov 2011
How detained mothers are assisted to maintain contact with their children in the UK asked by Julian Huppert MP There is no proactive arrangement in place apart from telephone made available and postage for letters paid when funds are not available.
31 Oct 2011
The number of detained women who are separated from their children in the UK asked by Julian Huppert MP ‘The information sought is not recorded centrally by the UK Border Agency and can be obtained through examination of individual case records only at disproportionate cost.’
25 Oct 2011
The numbers of pregnant women in detention and those who had to be released from detention due to pregnancy asked by Julian Huppert MP ‘The UK Border Agency does not hold such information centrally’
The number of women detained for immigration purposes, their length of detention and outcome asked by Julian Huppert MP Out of 4,299 women who entered either Immigration Removal Centres or short-term holding facilities in 2010/11, 34% were released, 12% spent more than 2 months in detention and 2% spent more than 6 months in detention.
The cost of Home Office building and refurbishment work in 2011/12 and 2012/13 asked by Eilidh Whiteford MP Conversion and fit-out cost for Peace Pottage was approx. £3.7 million and for Morton Hall IRC approx. £3.6 million. Also £350k spent on ‘Conversion of customs custody suites to removal bed’. Currently, it appears there is no estimate for the cost of further building work on/for detention facilities in 2012/13.
The measures in place to support detainees at risk of suicide asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ’The procedures, Assessment Care in Detention and Teamwork (ACDT), provide a holistic approach to suicide and self-harm prevention within the broader context of decency, safety, and the concept of a healthy centre.’
24 Oct 2011
The number of children held in detention at pre-departure accommodation Cedars asked by Keith Vaz MP ‘no children have been held in the pre-departure accommodation at Cedars between when it opened on 17 August 2011 and 31 August 2011.’ ‘Children entering detention figures relating to September 2011 will be published on 27 October 2011′.
The number of children held in in each immigration detention facility and the reason for their detention asked by Keith Vaz MP ‘The latest published figures show that no children were being held in detention, solely under Immigration Act powers in immigration removal centres and short term holding facilities as at 30 June 2011. This excludes those in police cells, Prison Service establishments and short-term holding rooms at ports and airports (for less than 24 hours), those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers and their dependants’
Review of restraint technique used during removals asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ‘The UK Border Agency formally asked the National Tactical Response Group of the National Offender Management Service to conduct a review of the current restraint techniques being used by escort officers including those used during removals. Officials expect to receive an interim report on the review in November 2011.’
The number of detainees injured while being restrained during deportation from the UK asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ‘Escort officers are required to submit a report each time force has been used to restrain a detainee while being removed. However separate records are not held on injuries sustained.’
18 Oct 2011
The number of children separated from their families while in detention asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ‘There have been no instances of children having been held separately from their parents at either facility in the last 12 months’
13 Oct 2011
Ministerial Statement: Asylum Procedures and Reception Conditions Directives by The Minister for Immigration, Damian Green MP ‘The Government have decided not to opt in to the European Commission’s amended proposals for asylum procedures and reception conditions directives.’ ‘These restrictions are unnecessary in a system such as ours where detainees have the right to apply to the courts for release on bail, or to bring a legal challenge against their detention.’
12 Oct 2011
Who will carry out independent monitoring of Pease Pottage asked by Lisa Nandy MP ‘It will be subject to independent inspection by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, who already has statutory responsibility for the UK Border Agency’s short-term holding facilities as well as its immigration removal centres. An Independent Monitoring Board will also be appointed for the facility and the Children’s Commissioner for England will have statutory right of access.’
10 Oct 2011
The number of attempted suicides by those waiting deportation asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ‘There were 119 incidents of self-harm across the Agency’s immigration removal centres which required medical attention between 1 January and 31 August 2011. The figure above does not include foreign national prisoners who will be deported at the end of their sentence or detainees being held in prisons or those held in the Agency’s short-term holding facilities.’
Age disputed minors (under 18) in immigration detention and Detained Fast Track asked by Julian Huppert MP 15 individuals were detained as adults but later released due to doubts over their age in 2010/2011. As for the Detained Fast Track, three individuals were released from the Detained Fast Track in 2009/2010 (although the records were kept only from July 2009) and zero individual in 2010/2011.
Average cost of detention for removal purposes in each of the immigration removal centre asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ‘We do not distinguish our detention costs between those held for removal from the UK and those held for further examination for entry into UK.’ ‘The average cost of holding a person per night in a detention centre is currently £102.’
Independent body to monitor all enforced removals from the UK? asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ‘There are no plans to establish an independent body to monitor all enforced removals from the UK’
The number of times the police have been called to the immigration removal centres asked by Shabana Mahmood MP ’ There is no requirement on immigration removal centres to centrally collate the data requested’
13 Sep 2011
Deaths in immigration detention asked by Jeremy Corbyn MP ‘Five deaths have occurred in the last five years of individuals detained in, or travelling to or from, an immigration removal centre as follows’
5 Sep 2011
Detainee transfers asked by Dr Julian Huppert MP ‘Around 80,000 journeys were undertaken in the year ending 30 April.’
Detained Fast Track asked by Dr Julian Huppert MP ‘We are unable to provide accurate date relating to this question.’
Detained Fast Track asked by Dr Julian Huppert MP ‘In the financial year 2010-11 the Detained Fast Track processes dealt with a total intake of 2,694 asylum seekers. A total of 820 detainees were released from the processes that were not granted asylum or removed from the UK.’
