To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were removed from the country under the Facilitated Returns Scheme in each year from October 2006 to October 2009; what the cost of the scheme was in each of those years; and what the average level of grant to offenders was in each of those years. (311016)

Of the 4,200 foreign national prisoners removed or deported in 2007 around 25 per cent. were removed under the Facilitated Returns Scheme (FRS). Of the 5,400 foreign national prisoners removed in 2008 and the 3,890 removed in quarters 1 to 3 2009, around 30 per cent. were removed under FRS.

Management information on the average level of grant awarded to those removed under FRS and who claimed the reintegration package in 2006 or 2007 is not considered sufficiently reliable. In both 2008 and between quarters 1 and 3 of 2009 less than three-quarters removed under FRS claimed the reintegration package on return and of those that did, the average amount received was less than £2,500 for 2008 and £3,500 for quarters 1 to 3 of 2009.

The scheme continues to deliver significant number of removals of foreign national criminals and continues to be developed to maximise savings and maintain public safety.

The chief executive of the UK Border Agency will provide the Home Affairs Committee with information on the cost of the FRS when she writes later this month.