Scotland could get new community-based units to house asylum-seeking families as a way of keeping children out of Dungavel detention centre, it emerged yesterday.
Units in England which house asylum seeking families are to be visited by Childrens' Secretary Fiona Hyslop after a meeting yesterday with Immigration Minster Liam Byrne.
The pilot units in England were high on the agenda yesterday, and the Holyrood minister has now agreed to visit these centres.
Ms Hyslop said: "This was a very constructive and positive meeting where I was able to restate this government's opposition to the detention of children at Dungavel.
"The Minister of State committed to respond to our request to stop families and children being detained in Dungavel and invited me to see how alternatives are being developed south of the border.
"I look forward to working with him and colleagues to end this practice."
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