The Welsh social justice minister has expressed concern at the continuing detention of asylum seekers in Cardiff prison.

Edwina Hart said Home Office officials should take the "swiftest possible" action to end the current situation.

The minister's comments came after a visit to the jail on Monday in which she examined the conditions under which recently transferred asylum seekers are being held.

In 2001 asylum seekers were removed from the prison following opposition from Cardiff's ministers and assembly members

Hart said the London government was again facing "practical difficulties in finding accommodation for asylum seekers who had to be moved from the Harmondsworth detention centre" following recent disturbances there.

"However, I am very concerned that prison accommodation is being used in this way," she said.

"The position of the assembly government is clear - that no-one should be treated in a worse way simply because they are an asylum seeker."

Hart added that she had written to London ministers "drawing their attention to the assembly's concerns and urging the swiftest possible resolution of the position".

"In the meantime, I was very glad to learn that local prison authorities had already arranged for the immigration service to interview the asylum seekers being held in Cardiff," she added.

"As a result of the visit, I am also optimistic that arrangements can be made for these individuals to have access to a wider range of advice, for example through the Welsh Refugee Council and local religious leaders.

"I now intend to visit Parc Prison at Bridgend, where one young man transferred from Harmondswsorth is being held in the young offender unit.

"I will be looking for similar assurances that everything is being done to ensure that he is properly treated and that his removal to a more suitable setting is being actively pursued."