Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Herbert of South Downs and Lindsay Roy

Tuesday 29th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab)]

10. How many foreign national prisoners he expects to have repatriated in 2011.

[The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Nick Herbert)]

In 2010 about 5,000 foreign national prisoners were removed or deported. However, the number transferred through prisoner transfer arrangements is too low. We expect to transfer about 50 prisoners this year. The Government believe that foreign national prisoners should serve their sentence in their own country, and we are seeking to secure further compulsory prisoner transfer agreements wherever possible.

[Lindsay Roy]

I thank the Minister for his detailed answer. Can he explain why that small number differs so markedly from the autumn predictions of the Prime Minister that thousands would be repatriated? What is holding things up, or was that just a wild estimate or a rash promise?

[Nick Herbert]

As I said, more than 5,000 prisoners have been removed. Of course, the situation will change in December when the EU prisoner transfer agreement comes into force. As a consequence of that, we will be able to remove many more prisoners to serve their sentence in other countries.