Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Deportation

Monday 22 March 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department is concerned about the decrease in enforced removals of foreign national offenders.
  • Proposals will soon reform the system to better enforce immigration rules and remove dangerous individuals.
  • Minister confirmed that Hassockfield site will house 80 female detainees in a secure facility for short detention periods.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Immigration
Context

The question stems from concerns about the low number of enforced removals compared to previous years, and the need for more effective measures.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to deport foreign national offenders. I am concerned about the significant decrease in enforced removals to 5,208 in the year to June 2020 from higher numbers previously.

Answer from Chris Philp

Removing people who should not be here is vital to maintain the integrity of our immigration system. Removing dangerous foreign national offenders is crucial for protecting citizens, and proposals will soon reform the system to better enforce immigration rules.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps being taken or proposed are not detailed beyond mentioning future reforms.

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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question arises from the plans for a new secure facility in Hassockfield, which is intended to house foreign criminals while awaiting deportation.

Question

My North West Durham constituents want genuine refugees to be supported and foreign criminals and bogus asylum seekers deported. Will the Minister confirm that the Hassockfield site will be a secure facility with around 80 females detained for as short a time as possible, and that recruitment for local jobs will start soon? Finally, will he ignore Labour activists who want open borders and ensure foreign criminals without right to stay are deported quickly?

Answer from Chris Philp

My hon. Friend is right: when people have valid asylum claims, we should look after them; those without rights will be deported. The Hassockfield centre is for 80 female detainees and a secure facility. Local jobs will be created, only those with no right to stay will be there. I condemn the local Labour party against proper border controls.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids detailed specifics about job creation timelines or detention duration beyond confirming the site's nature and intent.

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Q3 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

The question addresses frustrations with legal delays in the deportation process, particularly after prison sentences are served.

Question

My hon. Friend will know of frustration when violent foreign national criminals leave prison for deportation, only for lawyers to frustrate the process late. Will he bring forward proposals to prevent such actions and ensure dangerous criminals are deported at the end of their criminal convictions?

Answer from Chris Philp

My hon. Friend is right: dangerous criminals, including murderers and rapists, should be deported once their sentence is over. Legal challenges often come late despite previous opportunities; most—over 80%—are without merit. The Home Secretary and I will bring forward proposals to address this issue.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Conor McGinn Lab
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

The question concerns the government's performance in removing dangerous foreign nationals, noting an increase in numbers living freely and a decrease in those deported.

Question

Under this Government, the number of foreign criminals living freely exceeds 10,000 for the first time ever, while deportations fell to record lows. Yet no figures exist on rearrests of previously charged terrorist suspects. Does that not show how weak the government's record is and their incompetence? It's unacceptable when it comes to safety.

Answer from Chris Philp

Given the shadow Minister's new-found concern about deporting foreign national offenders, we will find out if his actions match rhetoric when voting on legislation. Why did Labour MPs oppose a charter flight in December to deport dangerous foreign nationals?

Not addressed: The response changes subject and attacks opposition rather than addressing the government's record.

How: Attacks

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