Asylum Seekers: Women

Lord Harris of Haringey Excerpts

Wednesday 28th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Bates]

Certainly, as we have said, if the information is supplied to us, it will be investigated very thoroughly indeed. The circumstances there have been subject to regular investigations by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons. In relation to the UN rapporteur who asked to visit, that was a very last-minute request. We had set up a very detailed programme, including meetings with the Chief Inspector of Prisons and the Home Secretary, and had offered other meetings. We are open to further approaches in due course in the future.

[Lord Harris of Haringey (Lab)]

My Lords, is it not the case that in a number of instances the women who made these very serious complaints have been deported before they can speak properly to the investigators? Surely, that is not something that the Government condone.

[Lord Bates]

No, it is not, and that is why we want the information to be brought to our attention as soon as possible. We cannot act if it is not shared with us.