To ask Her Majesty's Government how many foreign national prisoners who have completed their sentences but have not yet been deported are in (a) one of Her Majesty's prisons, and (b) an immigration centre. [HL4179]

In 2008, we deported or removed a record 5,395 foreign national prisoners.

The chief executive of the UK Border Agency indicated to the PAC at the beginning of March 2009 the numbers of foreign national prisoners who have been detained pending deportation. Action fluctuated in 2008 from a low of around 1,600 to a high of around 1,750, reflecting the increased numbers of individuals that are going through the deportation system. At any time, approximately one quarter of those detained pending deportation action are in the prison estate.