London - To aid the rapid removal of immigrants who have failed in asylum attempts in the UK, almost 3,000 more detention centre places are planned.
Figures released yesterday showed the number of asylum-seekers waiting to have their applications processed is 43,130. The Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, announced steps to stop asylum-seekers entering the country illegally. They included the use of X-ray scanners, heartbeat sensors, thermal imaging and closed-circuit television.