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Written question asked by Lord Green of Deddington (Crossbench) on Monday, 15 November 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 November 2021. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Monday, 29 November 2021 on behalf of the Home Office.


Undocumented Migrants: Mobile Phones

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many mobile phones have been issued (1) to individuals in immigration removal centres, and (2) to asylum seekers arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel by boat, between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2021.

Answer

The published Detention Services Order 08/2012 sets out the Home Office’s policy on detained individuals’ possession of mobile phones in immigration removal centres.

To enable contact with friends, family and legal representatives, where individuals do not have a suitable mobile phone, Home Office suppliers can provide temporary access to basic model mobile phones for individuals in detention, or those awaiting initial processing. These mobile phones are returned when individuals leave the respective centre.

No mobile phones are provided in Initial Asylum Accommodation, however; individuals can request a data sim card which enables internet access, for use during their stay.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4001
Session
2021-22
Attachment
Detention Services Order 08/2012 - Mobile Phones
Subjects
Asylum Undocumented migrants Mobile phones English Channel Immigration removal centres
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk