Written question asked by Fiona Mactaggart (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 May 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 May 1999. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 17 May 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia who have entered the United Kingdom en route to North America are being held for the offences of (a) possession of a false instrument contrary to section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and (b) attempting to obtain services by deception contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981. - Inc fact that the information requested is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

Answer: Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia who have entered the United Kingdom en route to North America are being held for the offences of (a) possession of a false instrument contrary to section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and (b) attempting to obtain services by deception contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981. [83800] Mr. Mike O'Brien: The information requested is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained through examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost. In any event, it would be impossible to ascertain precisely how many of those convicted were citizens of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia because the nationality of those holding falsified travel documents is essentially in doubt.

Secondary information