This situation is so out-of-time it could be straight from a Charles Dickens novel, but yes, Scotland detains in Dungavel the children of those seeking asylum in this country.

Dungavel is a former open prison now awesomely named an ‘immigation removal centre’. A single minute would produce a series of gothic interpretations of a machine-age name like this.

Anyway, today at Holyrood, the Scottish Parliament has been focusing on this issue, in a debate secured by Sandra White, an SNP MSP for Glasgow.

In the debate, one of Argyll’s political figures, Jamie McGrigor, Highlands and Islands MSP, spoke for humanity.

He said: ‘I, too, congratulate Sandra White on securing this debate, which is important. I respect and acknowledge her sincerity and recognise and sympathise with the widely held concerns that have been powerfully expressed by her and many others of all parties over the years and by many elements of civic Scotland.

‘That includes the Church of Scotland. The Rev Liz Gibson of Dalmally, who is a constituent of mine, is a member of its church and society council, which has worked hard to highlight the issues involved.

‘In general, the Scottish Conservatives believe that the UK Government and Parliament must retain reserved powers over asylum and immigration so that a consistent approach is taken throughout the UK. However, a civilised approach must be taken.

‘The detention of young children is the problem that surrounds Dungavel. Surely nobody is comfortable with young children being detained in detention centres, especially for long periods of time. They should be in detention centres only while they await deportation or for an initial check.

‘The fact that families spend so long in such centres is indicative of the chaos that the UK Government has created in the asylum system.

‘I hope that, if we are fortunate enough to win the next general election, a Conservative Government will tackle the problem effectively.

‘The motion correctly refers to “efforts of the previous administration and the current Scottish Government to end the practice of the detention of children at Dungavel”.

‘I look forward to the minister updating members on the situation. The Scottish Government has, of course, been exploring alternatives to detention, including the three-year pilot in Glasgow that is aimed at reducing the number of children who are held in Dungavel, and encouraging and assisting the voluntary return of families, which has been mentioned.

‘We all hope that the pilot is successful.

‘I recall the debate that we had in the chamber on the subject in September 2005, in which my friend James Douglas-Hamilton, who famously declared an interest in Dungavel as a former resident, albeit in completely different circumstances, spoke extremely well.

‘He correctly said that it is important that children’s issues are addressed with sensitivity and that the views of our Scottish experts in the education and social work inspectorates are listened to. He concluded: “The Home Office must be reminded of the key point, which is that, whatever the parents may or may not have done to cause them to be in Dungavel or in reception centres, children are there through no fault of their own.”—[Official Report, 22 September 2005; c 19377.]

‘The needs of the children and their welfare are paramount. The detention of children should be exceptional and for the shortest period possible. We really must have some progress on the issue.’

Who would argue that the detention of children should be exceptional and that progress must be made on this matter.

Related Posts

• McGrigor puts Inveraray & District Pipe Band on the record (0)
• Thompson proposes a fate worse than death for critics of Gaelic (0)
• McGrigor speaks at Holyrood on Water Rescue Review (0)
• McGrigor keeps right on to the end of the road – the A83, that is (0)
• Vancouver 2010: Scotland posted missing (20)

---

The Latest News from ForArgyll delivered via email, weekly or daily. You know it makes sense!

---

Comments (rss) | Respond | Ping | | Print This Post