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EU Passengers and Passport Checks: 16 April 2004
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Who took the decision to allow European Union passengers arriving at London Stansted airport between 23.00 hours and midnight on Friday 16 April to pass through immigration without physical inspection of their passports; and on what basis this decision was authorised. [HL2554]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The immigration Service has issued guidance to staff about how the EEA/Swiss control is to be managed at ports and airports, including guidance on the routine handling and examination of documents. The Duty Chief Immigration Officer is responsible for assessing operational constraints and local intelligence in implementing this guidance at ports.
Managers assessed the operational constraints on the evening of 16 April because exceptionally large numbers of travellers returning to the United Kingdom after the Easter break coincided with building work being undertaken in the arrivals hall at Stansted. In combination these factors presented serious risks to the health and safety of both passengers and staff and the possibility of public order difficulties. Therefore exceptional measures to control the situation and ensure the safety of the public were put in place, and normal operations resumed shortly after midnight when the number of arriving passengers diminished.
During the time in question there was a physical inspection of some documents, decisions on whether to do so or not being taken on the basis of an appraisal of the particular traffic in the arrivals hall at the time.
Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: Investigation into Death of Diana, Princess of Wales
Lord Fyfe of Fairfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is an appropriate use of police resources for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to conduct an investigation into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales; and whether this will divert resources from the prevention of terrorism in the United Kingdom. [HL2582]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Operational decisions by the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis on the deployment of allocated resources in response to the request by the Coroner of the Queen's Household are a matter for him.
Following the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Al-Fayed, the Metropolitan Police Service has assisted the coroner to prepare for his inquiries into the deaths. At the opening of the inquest on Diana, Princess of Wales, on 6 January, Mr Michael Burgess, who is both Coroner of the Queen's
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Household and the Surrey Coroner, requested that the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police look into allegations that the circumstances of the deaths were not as a result of a tragic accident. The commissioner subsequently established a small team who are tasked to assist the coroner in reviewing the information available from the French inquiry. This also includes carrying out further inquiries to ascertain if there is any credible evidence to support the allegations that have been made.
The team is working in close co-operation with the French authorities throughout the inquiries being undertaken. This was reinforced through the commissioner's recent visit to Paris. It is wholly appropriate for police resources to be used in providing the coroner with information that will enable him to fulfil his responsibilities. The police service provides such services on a regular basis to coroners throughout the country.
We recognise the current high threat from international terrorism. That is why we are providing the Metropolitan Police Authority this year with £61 million specifically to counter this threat. The resources being used to support the coroner are not being diverted from any counter-terrorism activity.
Juveniles in Custody:Use of Physical Restraint
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many children were injured during the use of control and restraint procedures in penal institutions during 2003. [HL2589]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Statistical information on injuries is not collected centrally, but the Youth Justice Board has been reviewing the use of physical restraint procedures and the National Children's Bureau recently produced a report for the board on the use of physical intervention within the juvenile secure estate. The board is currently drawing up a code of practice on the use of physical restraint, which it is intended will apply in all establishments holding young people under 18. The board is also planning to review the techniques that are used in establishments, in the light of the tragic death of Gareth Myatt at Rainsbrook on 19 April.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
How often the Prison Service reviews the use of restraint techniques and solitary confinement for children in penal institutions. [HL2590]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Prison Service has recently been reviewing its restraint and separation policies and procedures for juveniles in its custody. It is developing new restraint techniques, and will test and evaluate them and take account of wider Youth Justice Board work on juvenile restraint techniques before
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deciding whether to introduce them across the Prison Service juvenile estate.
Separation is used as a last resort, when all other methods have been exhausted. The latest guidance is in a new Prison Service Order (PSO 1700), which came into force in November 2003. The aim is to provide any young person who needs to be separated with appropriate interventions that will enable him or her to return to normal accommodation as soon as possible.
Prisons and Immigration Detention Centres in Private Ownership or Operation
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which prisons and Immigration Act detention or removal centres are respectively owned or operated by private contractors; and what is their policy on the ownership and management of such establishments. [HL2598]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The operation and ownership of prisons and immigration detention centres by private contractors is set out in the table.
1 The table does not include the private sector prison at Kilmarnock managed by the Scottish Executive.
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Contractors are required to manage these establishments according to the contract. The ownership of prospective bidders is fully investigated before tender documents are issued. The Home Secretary's consent is required for any significant change in the ownership of the contractor or operator.
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