NEWS RELEASE
STUC WELCOMES DUNGAVEL DEVELOPMENTS
Commenting on the motions and amendments to be debated in the Scottish Parliament today, and on breaking news that the Home Office is likely to seek discussions with the Scottish Executive on ending the detention of children at Dungavel, STUC General Secretary Bill Speirs said:
"It appears certain that today, whichever particular motion or amendment carries the day, the Scottish Parliament will vote to question the detention of children at Dungavel, and agree to raise the issue with the Home Office. Taken alongside reports that the Home Office is prepared to discuss the question of how children of asylum seekers are currently being treated, this can only be good news. The STUC and our affiliated unions stand ready to make a constructive contribution to such discussions.
"While we may yet have some way to go, I am very pleased that the campaigning efforts of the STUC and others over recent months now appears to be bearing fruit. This isn't just good news for asylum-seeking families: it is good news for Scottish democracy, and bad news for those cynics who say that politicians never listen."
ENDS
Further information and comment:
Bill Speirs, STUC General Secretary
Rozanne Foyer, STUC Assistant Secretary