PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Detainees: Children (13 October 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children were detained for immigration purposes at ports in the UK in each of the last three years; and how many such children were unaccompanied.

Asked by:
Ms Stella Creasy (Labour)

Numbers relating to children held in the short term holding facilities at port are derived from information provided by TASCOR, the Border Force contractors, who manage the port holding rooms.

Border Force has a legal duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009, to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Where it is absolutely necessary, Border Force may detain children or families with children.

Border Force can hold an unaccompanied child in a short term holding facility for the maximum period of 24 hours but only where it is absolutely necessary for immigration purposes and in the interests of their welfare. Detention will be for the shortest possible time and only while alternative arrangements are made for their care.

Answered by:
Sir Robert Goodwill (Conservative)
2 November 2016