§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the past 12 months unaccompanied child asylum seekers have been detained; and what the average length of time of detention is. [164332]
§ Mr. BrowneInformation on the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children detained over the last 12 months is not available
Unaccompanied minors are not normally detained and would only be so in exceptional circumstances, and then only overnight, where this was considered necessary for the safety and security of the minor while alternative care arrangements were made.
Information on the number of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 27 March 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 25 May. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.