National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns (NCADC)
110 Hamstead Road
Birmingham B20 2QS
Phone: 0121-554-6947 Fax: 0121-554-7891
E-mail  ncadc@ncadc.org.uk
Web site:  http://www.ncadc.org.uk/
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Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary, wants all detainees at Yarl's Wood released immediately because of the fire risk.In the light of yesterdays announcement by the Home Office, that none of the other seven detention centres have sprinkler systems fitted. All detention centres should be closed immediately and the detainees given temporary admission and released into the community.

At end of message model letter to Lord Rooker.
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Press release from Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Tuesday 19th February 2002
 http://www.fbu.org.uk/news/n190202yarlswood.html


Yarl's Wood fire - lives still at risk


The Fire Brigades Union yesterday (Tuesday 19th February 2002) claimed that Asylum Seekers that are being held at Yarls Wood Detention Centre are still at risk.

Bedfordshire Fire Authority, backed by the FBU, claimed in 2000 that Yarls Wood was "a disaster waiting to happen". This was reported in The Beds on Sunday newspaper on 15 October 2000.

The FBU maintain that by still holding detainees at the centre with no improvement in the fire precautions (including no sprinkler systems in place), no training for Group 4 staff and no evacuation procedures, lives are still at risk.

Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary said: "The detainees that are remaining in Yarls Wood should be immediately released on temporary admission for their own safety.

It is clear that Group 4 have put their private profit before the lives of asylum seekers thereby treating them as second class citizens. Group 4 flatly refused to put a sprinkler system into these premises to cut their costs. This would not be allowed under any other circumstances."

Mick Syme, Beds FBU Brigade Secretary said: "We are concerned not only about the safety of the detainees being kept at Yarls Wood, but also about firefighters who may be called back to fight further fires in a detention centre that is clearly unsafe."

The FBU is backing a call for an independent public inquiry to ask:

* Why are Group 4 allowed to refuse to fit a sprinkler system?
* Why were fire fighting operations delayed for over an hour after the fire crews arrived?
* How much public money has been wasted due to improper fire precautions/procedures?
* What was the operational priority - detaining the asylum seekers or fighting the fire?

For further information contact:

Andy Gilchrist General Secretary 020 8541 1765
Geoff Ellis National Officer (Press) 07740 403240
Mick Syme Beds FBU Brigade Secretary 07967 022020


Ends
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All asylum centres lack sprinklers


A Home Office spokeswoman said today Tuesday 19th February sprinklers had not been fitted at any of the other new detention centres at Oakington near Cambridge, Harmondsworth near Heathrow Airport, and Dungavel in South Lanarkshire.


The devices have not been installed in older buildings converted to hold immigration detainees at Campsfield House, Tinsley House, Lindholme, and Haslar .


The confirmation follows the partial destruction of Yarl's Wood centre, Bedfordshire, in a fire last week.


The Home Office spokeswoman said: "We took advice from a range of experts and put together a package of safety measures. Sprinklers were not part of that package."

The fire service had recommended sprinklers for Yarl's Wood more than a year ago.

A sprinkler manufacturer says the lack of systems at other centres is "a disaster waiting to happen".

Ashley Gorton of the sprinkler system supplier Actspeed said his firm submitted a bid to fit the devices at Yarl's Wood for £350,000 when it was being built in November 2000.


"We had four meetings with the architect and other people, but it got to the point where we heard no more from them," the co-owner of the Hertfordshire-based firm said.


Source BBC News Online


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Model letter, amend, copy, write your own and fax to Lord Rooker:
From the UK: Fax: 020-7273-2043
Outside the UK: Fax: +44-20-7273-2043
For those of you resident in the UK, please fax your MP, requesting that they call for the release of all detainees,You can find your MP through, FaxyourMP.com
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/letters/more/fax1.html
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Lord Rooker, Minister for Immigration
Home Office
50 Queen Annes Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Fax: 020-7273-2043


Dear Lord Rooker,
As you are aware the Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Andy Gilchrist, has said, "The detainees that are remaining in Yarl's Wood should be immediately released on temporary admission for their own safety."

As the same conditions at Yarl's Wood, apply at all the other detention centres, (Oakington, Harmondsworth, Dungavel, Campsfield, Tynsley House, Lindholme and Haslar). I am asking you to release all those detained in these establishments immediately. Detainees should be given temporary admission and released into the community.


Please expedite this request with urgency before there is a tragedy.


Yours Sincerely


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If you have time please fax a copy of anything sent to:


NCADC: Fax: 020-7703-3667 from outside the UK +44-20-7703-3667