Written question asked by Baroness Stern (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2008.

Airports: Heathrow

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What arrangements they have made to ensure that detainees in the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport are able to make the free telephone call to which they are entitled.

Answer: There is no national standard or policy regarding the use of telephones by detainees which would cover the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport. However, the IS91R (notice of reasons for detention) form which is issued to a detainee states: "““You may request to have a person known to you or who is likely to take an interest in your welfare informed at public expense as soon as practicable of your whereabouts””." Detainees are given access to telephone calls either via their own mobile phone (except for those with cameras, recording or internet facility), or via a payphone. Alternatively, if they are not able to use these, access to a free telephone call is provided.

Secondary information