Written question asked by Earl of Sandwich (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Scotland of Asthal (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2006.

Immigration: Fast Track Removal

Question: What criteria they use to evaluate the success of immigration removal centres; and whether the initial acceptance rate of 1 per cent for new detained asylum seekers in the fast track process at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre is an indicator of success.

Answer: The main purpose of an immigration removal centre is to hold people while identity and basis of claim are established, because of the risk of absconding, as part of a fast-track process or to effect removal. The criterion used to evaluate the success of immigration removal centres is the rate of removal from the immigration removal estate each month. Cases that are considered straightforward and capable of a quick decision are selected for detained fast track (DFT). The vast majority of claims are unfounded, as evidenced by the low grant rate of1 per cent for asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave at initial decision, and the 98 per cent dismissed appeal rate at Harmondsworth in the second quarter of 2006.

Secondary information