Immigration Removal Centres (Contraband)

Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 7th April 2010.

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Photo of Andrew Pelling Andrew Pelling Independent, Croydon Central 11:30 am, 7th April 2010

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on levels of contraband in immigration removal centres in Scotland.

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Photo of Ann McKechin Ann McKechin The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland

The Secretary of State has had no recent meetings to discuss levels of contraband in the immigration removal centre in Scotland.

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Photo of Andrew Pelling Andrew Pelling Independent, Croydon Central

Given that contraband is being sent into Her Majesty's prison in Edinburgh by the use of crossbows, what is the danger of that happening in the immigration centre? Why do Scottish people use crossbows rather than English longbows?

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Photo of Ann McKechin Ann McKechin The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland

The management of prisons in Scotland is, of course, a matter for the Scottish Government's Ministry of Justice. We have policies and procedures in place to prevent contraband from coming into removal centres, but we would not comment on the details because that might compromise the safety of the centre.

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