Going on hunger strike is a drastic action for an individual to take and is deeply worrying

Annabelle Ewing SNP

The minister said he was satisfied detainees were being well cared for at the centre.

"I am concerned that bad publicity, some of which is politically motivated, is having an adverse affect on the moral of an excellent workforce.

"Of course, individual detainees have grievances, which should and are being dealt with by the immigration service.

"But that should not be used to denigrate the good work being done at the centre."

Eduardo Sanchez, a spokesman for the hunger strikers, said many had ended the protest because the detainees had achieved their aim of drawing attention to their complaints.

Abbas Jallo, from Sierra Leone, said he was among a group of detainees who were continuing the protest.

He said: "I am not alone, there are so many people on the hunger strike.

"If they said the hunger strike is finished, it is not finished."

'Drastic action'

Meanwhile, an MP has called for an emergency debate on conditions at the centre.

Annabelle Ewing, of the Scottish National Party, said the protest raised serious questions about conditions and procedures at the Dungavel centre.

Ms Ewing said: "Going on hunger strike is a drastic action for an individual to take and is deeply worrying.

"This follows on from a reported attempted suicide at Dungavel a couple of weeks ago and that is why I am seeking an emergency debate in the House of Commons as to what is going on in Dungavel.

"It seems to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain any information at all as to what is going on on the part of the authorities."

The centre is in the political spotlight

Ms Ewing, the SNP's home affairs spokeswoman, said an emergency debate would put an obligation on ministers to answer serious concerns about the centre.

Initially, about 40 detainees began a hunger strike over the length of time taken for their cases to be heard and because of conditions at the centre.

Scottish Socialist Party leader Tommy Sheridan has also accused the Home Office and the Scottish Executive of failing to answer questions about the centre.

The Home Office has insisted that detainees have been treated in accordance with proper procedures.

It said staff and detainees had remained on good terms.