Immigration: Detention of Pregnant Women

Baroness Kennedy of Shaws Excerpts

Wednesday 25th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

We have made it perfectly clear that detention in all cases is the exception and not the rule. In the cases of vulnerable adults, including pregnant women, it will be wholly exceptional for them to be detained. In general it is anticipated that detention will be required only in circumstances where someone arrives at the border without any right to be in the United Kingdom and can be more or less immediately returned to their country of origin.

[Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws (Lab)]

My Lords, is the Minister prepared to say that, as a matter of principle, pregnant women should not be held in detention? That should be the starting point. It is what this House wants to hear and what this House voted for.

[Lord Keen of Elie]

There is a clear and unambiguous presumption against the detention of pregnant women.