Sham marriages and immigration detention centres scrutinised
19 June 2014
Committee to take evidence on sham marriages and immigration detention centres.
- Parliament TV: watch the immigration evidence session
- Inquiry: The work of the Immigration Directorates (2013 Q4)
- Home Affairs Committee
Witnesses
Tuesday 24 June 2014, Grimond Room, Portcullis House
At 2.45pm (Sham marriages)
- John Vine CBE QPM, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
At 3.30pm (Sham marriages)
- Jonathan Kershner, Registration and Coroner Services Manager, Manchester Register Office
- Alicja Gilroy, Superintendent Registrar, Oxford Register Office
At 4.00pm (Immigration Detention Centres)
- Dr Bob McGuiness, Interim Chief Executive, UK Central Government Division, Serco
- James Thorburn, Managing Director, Home Affairs, Serco
At 4.25pm (Immigration Detention Centres)
- Peter Neden, Regional President UK & Ireland, G4S
- Jerry Petherick, Managing Director, Custodial and Detention Services, G4S
Timings are approximate.
Keith Vaz, Committee Chairman said:
“The Committee have been concerned about the processing, reporting and investigation of sham marriages for some time.
It is vital that all applications for admission to this country are subjected to appropriate levels of scrutiny. Any person suspected of playing the system should be investigated thoroughly.
Hearing from those on the front line will enable the Committee to get a first-hand perspective on Mr Vine’s recent conclusions.
I am glad that we can receive an update on Immigration Detention from G4S and Serco. The UK has one of the largest detention estates in Europe and it is important that we get the full facts on recent reports into mismanagement in our centres.
People’s wellbeing is at the mercy of these companies and we must ensure that any failings are learnt from to ensure they never happen again.”