THE dispersal system for asylum seekers was devised by Blackburn's own MP, Jack Straw, and we have been led to believe by executive member for citizens, Councillor Maureen Bateson, that had the council not entered into this scheme, then the government would have imposed it upon the town.
That being the case, why was Blackburn singled out when many towns of a similar size throughout the country have not had one family of asylum seekers?
Blackburn has 10 per cent more than its allocation.
The council is being given £4.5million to cover the costs. What is being paid to the social landlords housing the asylum seekers and what about the Council Tax on these 123 houses? Who is footing the bill?
On top of this, how much is being paid to private-sector landlords? The council must be well aware of how many houses are rented in this sector, for they inspect them on behalf of the National Asylum Support Service.
Councillor Bateson and George Campling, the Director of Rights, Advice and Entitlements claim that the council feels strongly that it has a moral obligation to offer safe haven for people who are fleeing persecution in their own countries (Letters, September 9). That is just bunkum.
What about the moral obligation to the elderly people who felt they were being persecuted when this same council evicted them from their care homes and closed them down?
This lot want to get their act together and look after the people they were elected by.
WALT MEADOWS, Whalley New Road, Blackburn.
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