Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 26 April 2006 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: But the Prime Minister simply has not answered the question about what the Home Secretary said last night. Let us be clear about what he said on television. When asked whether anyone was released after he was told about it, the Home Secretary replied:"““I'm not prepared to say no one but . . . certainly very, very few people.””" Given that the actual number was 288, that was completely misleading. This Home Secretary has presided over systemic failure. He has failed to deal with this, and last night he misled people about the scale of the problem. Is it not clear that he cannot give the Home Office the leadership that it so badly needs?

Answer: Not surprisingly, I do not agree with that. The Home Office has given the figure of 288. Indeed, the reason we can give figures is that there is now a proper case management system. As I have said, the reason we give the figures since 1999 is that that was the first time that any figures were kept. I would also point out that over the last two years there have been more than 3,000 deportations. Indeed, since last October there have been 800. But let me repeat again that since 1 April all cases have been considered pre-release. The 288 cases to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred will be considered; some have already been considered, and deportations have followed.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 445 c564
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Deportation Foreign nationals Home Office Maladministration Offenders Prisoners Prisoners' release Reoffenders HM Prison Service Immigration and Nationality Directorate
Link: View this Prime Minister's question on www.publications.parliament.uk