asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the longest period that an unaccompanied child asylum seeker has been held in a United Kingdom detention centre; and what were the reasons for this. [HL5716]

The information requested is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Unaccompanied children are detained only in exceptional circumstances for short periods while alternative arrangements are made for their care and safety. This would normally be no more than overnight.