POLITICIANS today demanded reassurances no child will ever be held at the Dungavel detention centre after the launch of a new pilot scheme.

POLITICIANS today demanded reassurances no child will ever be held at the Dungavel detention centre after the launch of a new pilot scheme.

A new initiative is starting in Glasgow where four asylum-seeking families will be housed in former council-owned homes before they are deported.

The families will be free to leave the house and access private washing and cooking facilities, with some supervision.

The move was warmly welcomed but campaigners now want reassurances over future cases.

Kathleen Marshall, Scottish Children's Commissioner, said: "This pilot scheme comes not a moment too soon. Detention can cause lasting damage to children."

Dungavel, which opened in 2001 in South Lanarkshire, has been controversial since it was revealed families with children were detained behind barbed wire.

Christina McKelvie, SNP MSP for Central Scotland, said: "Any moves that lead to the end of detaining children at Dungavel are to be welcomed, but questions still remain about whether this will mean that no child at all will be held."