Immigration: Harmondsworth Removal Centre

Baroness Anelay of St Johns
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why night staff at Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre have only limited access to ligature cutters which can be used to save those who may try to hang themselves; and whether they will take steps to increase staff access to ligature cutters. [HL665]

Lord Bassam of Brighton
Ligature cutters are available at all staff points throughout the immigration removal centre (IRC), and are carried by senior detention custody officers (DCOs) on duty in the residential areas. There are procedures in place to ensure that a staff cutter is readily available to any DCO who is the first on scene.

Lord Avebury
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give a breakdown of the persons who were discharged from Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre during the third quarter of 2006, showing how many were (a) granted bail; (b) granted temporary admission; (c) released for any other reason; (d) removed; and (e) transferred to another immigration removal centre or prison. [HL1165]

Lord Bassam of Brighton
The total number of people discharged from Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre during the third quarter of 2006 was 1,741. Sixteen were granted bail, 233 were granted temporary admission, 955 were removed and 537 were transferred.