To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings his Department has held with the Red Cross on the arrest and detention in adult criminal prisons of Afghan child refugees in Greece; and if he will make a statement. (209741)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had no meetings with the Red Cross specifically regarding the arrest and detention of Afghan child refugees in adult criminal prisons in Greece. Greece, like many other EU countries, is bound by the Council Directive laying down minimum standards for the Reception of Asylum Seekers 2003/9/EC, the implementation of which is monitored by the European Commission. We welcome recent steps taken by Greece to improve conditions for asylum seekers, for example to create new reception centres in Samos, Amygdaleza (Attica) and Sparta.