asked Her Majesty's Government:How many persons given non-custodial sentences by the courts but recommended for deportation spent time in prison under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981 respectively; and what was the aggregate length of time so spent in prison by those persons in each of those years.

The numbers of persons detained in prison following a non-custodial sentence and a recommendation for deportation by the courts were as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will confirm that the Jersey authorities have no say whatsoever on the question of whether or not a person from Jersey serving a life sentence in a prison in England should be released on licence.

In accordance with Section 26 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (as amended by the Criminal Law Act 1977, Schedule 12, paragraph 2), prisoners convicted and sentenced in Jersey and transferred to England and Wales to serve their sentences are considered for release as if they had been convicted and sentenced here. For a life sentence prisoner, such consideration includes consultation with the Island trial judge, if he is available. This is in accordance with Section 61 of the Criminal Justice Act 1961, which provides that the Home Secretary may release a life sentence prisoner on the recommendation of the Parole Board and after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and, if he is available, the trial judge.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will confirm that it is still their intention to bring the British Nationality Act 1981 into force on 1st January 1983.

Yes. On 8th July my right honourable friend signed a commencement order which brings the Act into force on 1st January 1983 and he hopes to lay before Parliament the main orders and regulations under the Act by the Summer Recess.House adjourned at four minutes before three o'clock.