asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will set a limit to the length of immigration detention after which each person's case must be reviewed by a magistrate or judge. [HL726]

The Government have no plans to change the basis on which detention under Immigration Act powers is reviewed. Existing procedures, including access to the processes of judicial review and habeas corpus to challenge the lawfulness of detention, comply fully with the requirements of Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress the Borders and Immigration Agency has made in improving healthcare for detainees, in particular mental health care in immigration detention and removal centres. [HL728]

Every IRC is required to have a medical team, at least one member of which must be a doctor who is trained as a general practitioner. The team also consists of nurses, including registered mental nurses, the number of which would depend on the centre. There are regular meetings to discuss healthcare issues between Border and Immigration Agency staff, NGO’s and Department of Health officials in order to develop and improve healthcare in the removal centres. Mental health issues are discussed at these meetings.