10-6-02

Consultation is key on asylum plans says Barrett

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today used question time in the House of Commons to call upon the new Immigration Minister to consult more widely on the use of RAF Turnhouse for an asylum seeker accommodation centre.

John Barrett MP said:

"Since the Home Office announced their decision to consider the Turnhouse site, the level of consultation with the local Council, local organisations and residents has been pretty much non-existent.

"If the Government had consulted more widely on this issue, they would find national organisations such as the Refugee Council, Save the Children and UNICEF opposed to the proposals, local organisations and a local Council opposed to the proposals and local people who feel short changed and dismayed by being left in the dark.

"Hopefully, the appointment of a new Minister will bring a new approach, an approach which should be more inclusive, more reflective and more attentive to local concerns."

ENDS