§ Jonathan ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the piloting of removals of unaccompanied children will involve their detention. [155444]
§ Beverley HughesThere are no plans to detain unaccompanied children who will be removed under the returns programme. Unaccompanied children are only ever detained in the most exceptional circumstances and then normally only overnight while alternative care arrangements are made. Arrangements for return will be planned in partnership with Local Authorities; this will include an assessment of the child/young person's suitability for return and whether return is in their best interests.
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§ Jonathan ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he intends to make to ensure that appropriate reception arrangements are in place for unaccompanied children who are removed under the new pilots. [155445]
§ Beverley HughesThe returns programme for unaccompanied asylum seeking children who have been refused asylum is still in the early stages of development. We are currently exploring the kinds of reception arrangements that could be put in place. Before any child or young person was returned under the programme we would need to be confident that the arrangements put in place were of an acceptable standard and that the person's return was not in breach of our international obligations.