28-5-02

'LISTEN TO THOSE WHO KNOW ON ASYLUM PLANS' SAYS BARRETT

John Barrett MP, the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the Government to listen to asylum organisations and halt their current plans for accommodation centres.

The comments come after a statement from the British Red Cross, where the charity described plans for the centres as 'doomed to failure'. The Government are currently considering the former RAF station at Turnhouse in Mr Barrett's constituency as a potential site for an accommodation centre.

John Barrett MP said:

"More and more organisations are coming out against the Home Office proposals, believing the planned accommodation centres are far too big and difficult to manage. The British Red Cross, I and many others fear the Government's insistence on siting these large centres in rural areas will lead to isolation and will do nothing to integrate asylum centres into communities.

"The Home Office should listen to the British Red Cross, who along with the Refugee Council, UNICEF and Save the Children, have much greater experience in dealing with asylum seekers and all of which have come about against the Government plans."

ENDS