Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the increase of the number of women from China held in immigration detention from 28 at the end of Q3 2017 to 52 at the end of Q3 2018.

Levels of nationalities within immigration removal centres are dependent on migration flows, migrant activities and enforcement operations. Levels fluctuate throughout the year across all nationalities.

The Home Office work collaboratively with High Commissions and Embassies to obtain travel documents for the return of those who have no lawful basis to remain in the United Kingdom. This can involve identity and nationality interview schemes and these can occur in immigration removal centres.

The number of Chinese nationals detained increases when detained interview schemes are scheduled.