Written question asked by Lord Avebury (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Thursday, 1 December 2005.

Asylum Seekers: Bail

Question: For how many days each of the 21 Iraqi asylum seekers who were in detention awaiting removal on 14 October had been detained on that date; how many of them have now been assessed as not posing a threat of absconding, have met the necessary conditions and provided the sureties required for release on Chief Immigration Officer bail; and, if any of them have met the other conditions but have not been able to provide sureties, whether they will put them in touch with Bail for Immigration Detainees.

Answer: On 14 October the Iraqi failed asylum seekers detained awaiting removal had been detained for between 46 and 68 days. Thirteen were advised that the Immigration Service was considering release on bail and invited to provide details of proposed sureties and addresses. Five were subsequently granted bail by an immigration judge. Of the remaining cases, five responded but failed to provide sufficient sureties or details about their sureties. Three made no response. We do not put individuals in touch with particular organisations who might represent them. Information about bail is given to all those detained at the time of detention and is available within individual removal centres.

Secondary information