Alternative to Detention Pilot - Letter

18 May 2009

Letter to The Herald

One of my first priorities when I was appointed the Secretary of State for Scotland, was to bring forward an alternative to detention pilot for children of failed asylum seekers.

I want to try to do things differently by supporting failed asylum seeking families to return home voluntarily rather being detained in Dungavel and then returned. This new scheme will start next month.

I therefore felt it necessary to respond to your report (15 May ) regarding the detention of a mother and son in Glasgow.

I have always made clear that the intention of this pilot when it begins is to reduce the need for the detention of children and to prepare families for returning to their home country voluntarily. Indeed, I made clear when I announced the scheme that it would have been irresponsible of any politician to commit to the end of detention of children in all circumstances where their parents have repeatedly refused to accept the help and assistance afforded to them to return home voluntarily.

The Courts are the final arbiters of asylum decisions and when the courts say someone should leave after their appeal rights have been exhausted  then they should leave. If they do not, the UK Border Agency has a duty to enforce the decisions of the court.

I have every faith that the pilot scheme I announced in October will help us to reduce the need to detain children and families. It is a good example of the British and Scottish governments as well as Glasgow City Council working together. No-one comes into politics to detain children.  But as a Government and as a society  we must reserve the right to take enforceable action to help a family return home when all other possible options have been exhausted.

- Rt. Hon. Jim Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Scotland