Temporary release
Section 68: Bail
193.Section 68 provides a power for the Secretary of State, or an official acting on his behalf, to grant bail to a person detained under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act in the same circumstances as a chief immigration officer may currently. The power takes effect after the expiry of the eighth day after detention begins, prior to which the power to grant bail will continue to be exercised by an immigration officer not below the rank of chief immigration officer.
194.Section 68 also repeals Part III of the 1999 Act, with the exceptions of sections 53 (except subsection (5)) and 54. Part III of the 1999 Act contained provisions for a system of routine bail hearings for those in detention and has not been implemented. The rights to apply for bail under existing legislation will remain in place.
Section 69: Reporting restriction: travel expenses
195.Section 50 provides a power for the Secretary of State to link the provision of support with a requirement to report to the police or an immigration officer. Section 69 enables the Secretary of State to meet the reasonable travel costs of supported asylum-seekers who are required to travel to enable them to report as directed.
Section 70: Induction
196.Section 70 provides that an asylum-seeker and any dependants may be required to reside at a location for a period of up to 14 days which is at or near a place where a programme of induction will take place. The intention is that all asylum-seekers will be given an induction at the outset of their claim. The purpose of this induction is to inform the asylum-seeker about how the asylum process will work, up to and beyond the initial decision on their claim; to explain what responsibilities they have to comply with requirements placed upon them as part of that process; and to consider any requests for support. The residence restriction can be imposed regardless of circumstances, for example, whether or not the asylum-seeker has alternative accommodation available to them.
Section 71: Asylum-seeker: residence, &c. restriction
197.Section 71 is concerned with asylum-seekers who have existing leave to enter or remain at the time they make a claim for asylum (at present, only a small percentage of asylum-seekers fall into this category). The section provides that such asylum-seekers and their dependants may have restrictions imposed on them which can be imposed on other asylum-seekers (that is, those without existing leave to enter or remain) under paragraph 21 of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act. The powers under that paragraph include the power to impose reporting and residence requirements. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that all asylum-seekers, whatever their circumstances prior to making a claim, can be subject to the same basic process including, for example, the requirement to keep in touch through regular reporting. The section further provides that where an asylum-seeker with existing leave fails to comply with a restriction placed upon him they will then become liable to detention under paragraph 16 of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act. Restrictions imposed under this section cease to have effect once a person ceases to be an asylum-seeker.