Oral answer to question provided on Wednesday, 15 February 2006 in the House of Lords, by Lord Bassam of Brighton (Labour).

Immigration Detention Centres

Answer: My Lords, we try to ensure that the movement of people from one detention centre to another is kept to a minimum. Most people do not spend a long period in detention centres, and the vast majority of those who do spend any time in them are there for up to only two or three weeks. It is not in anybody’s interest that people are moved frequently. We try to ensure that all the rights to welfare and support services are plugged in. However, one has to accept that these are difficult cases involving some complex issues that we are dealing with. We try to act in everyone’s interest.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Wednesday, 15 February 2006 by Baroness Williams of Crosby (Liberal Democrat).

Question: My Lords, would it be possible to consider carefully the policy of moving people frequently between detention centres? In addition to pastoral support, the welcome and compassionate help of the friends of various detention centres who extend the hand of friendship is crucial in preventing people being driven to despair. Will the Minister therefore look to see whether the Home Office policy of constantly moving people from one detention centre to another, breaking those crucial relationships, can be carefully reconsidered?

Secondary information