Written question asked by Baroness Warsi (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 July 2009.

Immigration

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people have been (a) arrested, and (b) convicted, in each of the past three years for holding forged immigration documents.

Answer: The UK Border Agency statistics on arrests do not specifically record data relating to arrests for "holding forged immigration documents" as there are a number of offences both under immigration law and other legislation that this type of criminality relates to. The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of persons removed and departed voluntarily from the UK on a quarterly and annual basis, as well as statistics on persons proceeded against for offences under immigration Acts in England and Wales annually. National statistics on immigration and asylum are placed in the Library of the House and are available from the Home Office’s research, development and statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.

Secondary information