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HOME DEPARTMENT
Passport Agency
Mr. Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom Passport Agency will publish its annual report and accounts for 2000–01. [5485]
Angela Eagle: The United Kingdom Passport Service annual report and accounts have been published today and I am pleased to say that copies have been placed in the Library.
Immigration and Nationality Directorate
Mr. Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes in the membership of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's Independent Complaints Audit Committee. [5488]
Angela Eagle: Ms Ros Gardner has been appointed as the new chair of the Complaints Audit Committee to replace Arden Bhattacharya, whose three year term of tenure ended in March. Ms Gardner has been a member of the Committee since January 2000. She presently runs a consultancy in customer care and complaint handling. She was formerly Manager of the Customer Services Department of Marks and Spencer, and was a member of the Cabinet Office's Citizens Charter Complaints Task Force.
Mr. Paul Manning has been appointed as a new member of the Committee. Mr. Manning has over 30 years' experience in senior operational and management positions in the police. He recently retired from being an Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service.
Electoral Registers
Mr. Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will issue guidelines to local authorities for production of the 2002–03 electoral registers with special reference to legislative changes regarding opting out. [4613]
Dr. Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
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We intend, subject to parliamentary approval, to make regulations on the edited electoral register before next spring, which will be followed by the Electoral Commission issuing guidance to electoral registration officers.
Airwave Radio System
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many communications masts are to be erected as a result of the introduction of the Airwave radio system; [1251]
- (2) if he will make a statement on the impact of the foot and mouth crisis on the roll-out of the Airwave radio system. [1252]
Mr. Denham: The current estimate is that 3,200 radio sites will be required for British Telecommunications (BT) to provide the Airwave service.
Each of these sites will need a radio mast for the transmission of Airwave signals. The sites will reuse existing masts or use new masts mounted either on buildings or on the ground.
The exact deployment of masts is determined by BT's coverage planning process, which complies with national planning and safety requirements. The current plans cover the first two years of the phased roll out of the Airwave service.
Chief Constable (Sussex Constabulary)
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he had with members of the Sussex Police Authority about his recent media release concerning the Chief Constable of Sussex before he released it; [3134]
- (2) for what reason he did not seek to discuss his recent media release concerning the Chief Constable of Sussex with the Chief Constable before he released it. [3135]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 10 July 2001]: The Police Authority were informed by officials shortly before my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's letter to the Police Authority dated 22 June was released to the press. This letter was about the role and responsibilities of the Police Authority, and for this reason was discussed with the Chief Constable.
Police Custody Units
Mr. Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many operational police custody units there were in Devon and Cornwall in each year from 1980 to 2001; and if he will make a statement. [3412]
Mr. Denham: I understand from the Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, that on the basis that the definition for 'Custody Units' is individual cells, the figures are as follows:
| Year | Custody Units |
|---|---|
| 1980 to 1985 | 200 |
| 1986 and 1987 | 201 |
| 1988 | 199 |
| 1989 and 1990 | 204 |
| 1991 and 1992 | 202 |
| 1993 | 201 |
| 1994 | 208 |
| 1995 | 207 |
| 1996 | 205 |
| 1997 | 204 |
| 1998 and 1999 | (29)185 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | (29)219 |
(29) Torquay Police Station was closed in 1998–99 and its replacement opened this year.
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Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has eight custody centres under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 for handling those who are detained in excess of six hours. These centres are located at Camborne, Plymouth, Barnstaple, St. Austell, Torquay, Exeter, Newquay and Crownhill (Plymouth).
Immigration
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are detained under the Immigration Act 1971, broken down by (a) nationality, (b) gender, (c) place of detention, (d) length of detention, (f) stage of application and (f) immigration status at the time of detention. [3262]
Angela Eagle [holding answer 10 July 2001]: The latest available information relating to the number of persons detained under Immigration Act powers by place of detention and nationality is given in the tables. Corresponding information on gender, length of detention, stage of application and immigration is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case files at disproportionate cost.
(30) Figures exclude persons detained in police cells (other than at Dover Harbour)
(31) Figures include the use of police cells at Dover Harbour
(32) The figures for prison establishments may include some persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.
Source:
England and Wales data from IS Detention Services and the Offenders and Corrections Unit (RDS), and Scotland and NI data from IS Glasgow.
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(33) Figures exclude persons detained in police cells (other than Dover Harbour).
(34) The figures for Prison establishments may include some persons detained under dual immigration and other powers.
Source:
England and Wales data from IS Detention Services and the Offenders and Corrections Unit (RDS), and Scotland and NI data from IS Glasgow.
18 Jul 2001 : Column: 277W
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