asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether bedding, beds and showers are available for those held for longer than 12 hours in the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport. [HL3319]

Pillows and disposable blankets are currently available for all detainees in immigration holding rooms.

We are currently looking at the feasibility of installing showers into the holding room at Terminal 5 and into the facility which will replace the removals room in Queen's Building at Heathrow.

There are currently no plans to provide beds in any of the holding rooms, but we are investigating the provision of reclining seats in the replacement facility for Queen's Building.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the implementation of Operating Standard No 2, “Holding Room Care”, by the contractor in the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport is satisfactory. [HL3322]

Each of the key policies in the escorting contractor's Operational Policy Standard and Procedures No 2, entitled “Holding Room Care”, is implemented to a satisfactory standard.

The UK Border Agency acknowledges that detainee welfare is of prime importance and works closely with the contractor to ensure continuous improvement in this area.