To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new immigration detention places were created in each year since 1997; and what the cost of running the immigration detention estate was in each of those years. (282992)

The information requested is as follows:

(i) The following table shows the amount of new detention bed places created in each year between 1997 to 2009.

These figures are based on management information, and are therefore liable to change.

(ii) The cost of operating the UK Border Agency detention estate is complex on account of the way that contracts are formed, the payment mechanisms to contractors and ancillary costs, including the Detention Services HQ function.

The following table, however, sets out the total cost of contracts and the Agency's contribution to the operation of the three centres managed by the Ministry of Justice on our behalf. It does not, however, include things like escorting services, UK Border Agency and Ministry of Justice staffing, all of which directly contribute to the running of the estate.

The table also does not include data prior to 2004. It would be at disproportionate cost to provide this information.