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Yarl's Wood

I have today placed in the Library of the House the action plan in respect of the report into the fire and disturbance at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre. Mr. Stephen Shaw was asked to conduct a report into this incident and the findings of the investigation was completed and published on 16 November 2004. The report contained a number of recommendations designed to minimise the risk of future disturbances. My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for the Home Department also announced in a written statement that he accepted Stephen Shaw's recommendation (number 60) that a forum comprising officials, contractors and relevant interest groups be set up to consider the provision of purposeful activity in removal centres. The purpose of the forum is to examine the seven relevant recommendations contained in the report and identify how they can be taken forward in order to enhance removal centre regimes. A number of meetings have already taken place and have involved consultation with both the chief inspector of prisons and the prison and probation ombudsman. The action plan identifies the recommendations have already been acted on and what considerations and progress has been made on the others. A completion date for implementation has been set for the end of 2005.