Last month a number of my constituents asked if I
could attend a Westminster Hall debate on accommodation contracts for asylum
seekers.
I regret to inform them that I was unable to attend
the debate as I was in Strasbourg for the Council of Europe’s parliamentary
assembly sitting on the day.
This is an priority for the Immigration Minister
who said at the debate that she has engaged in discussions with local
authorities and civil society leaders on how best to improve asylum
accommodation condition and ensure that new contracts can adequately meet the
needs of asylum seekers as well as interests of the communities within which
they are housed.
I would like to thank my constituents for bringing
this issue to my attention and I look forward to future opportunities to speak
on this important issue.
