To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all issues raised in the first annual report of the independent monitoring board on the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport in April 2008 have been addressed. [HL649]

The IMB annual report highlighted 11 main issues of concern about the management and operation of the short-term holding facilities at Heathrow Airport. All of these issues have been addressed or are in the process of being so by the UK Border Agency or Group Four Securicor (G4S), who manage the facilities under contract to the agency. Outstanding issues will be addressed by the opening in spring 2009 of the new facility at Heathrow Airport to replace Queen's Building.

The IMB is kept informed of actions taken through regular meetings with the agency’s detention services directorate.