§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with European Union colleagues regarding a co-ordinated approach to(a) protecting child asylum seekers from exploitation and (b) identifying and assisting them in finding their families. [100317]
§ Beverley HughesThe Government has been instrumental in working to agree minimum standards for asylum seekers in Europe as a first step towards a common European asylum system.
These measures include specific provision for the protection of child asylum seekers, including the allocation of responsibility to protect the interests of those asylum seeker children who arrive unaccompanied, as well as their appropriate accommodation.
There is also a duty as far as possible to help unaccompanied asylum seeker children find their families.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will invite Ms MAA (A1161869) to attend the asylum screening unit in connection with her asylum application. [100289]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 6 March 2003]: A screening interview has been arranged for 10 March 2003.