Asylum plan is 'stupid' (From Barry And District News)

Asylum plan is 'stupid'

A TOP Vale councillor has branded the Sully Hospital asylum plan as "stupid" - and called on local people to band together to fight it off.

And he has revealed that he knew nothing of the idea, despite the fact that he would have a key role if it went ahead.

The disused hospital building is one of eight places being looked at by the Home Office to house asylum seekers by 2003. It could take up to 750 refugees.

The Home Office maintained this week that "nothing has changed, they are still provisional identified sites," but residents are still worried.

Vale of Glamorgan Councillor Clive Williams, Cabinet Member for community care, health and childrens services, hit out at the proposals branding them 'stupid'.

He said he was astounded when he found out, adding: "As the cabinet member who will have a direct involvement on behalf of the Vale council, I have not received any form of communication."

He warned: "I think the Government should concentrate on domestic problems, and not try to put the world to rights.

"Please do not use Wales, and especially this unique site, as a dumping ground, as a means of diluting your problems from other areas in England.

"I urge people 'who have the power' to force the government to face the major problems which they were elected to do, and to quash immediately this possible notion of using Sully Hospital in this way."

He said he thinks Sully would be better used for children's services and recuperation.

He added: "There are health risks involved of entrants who are not properly screened. TB almost extinct in Britain, is now on the increase.

"I feel the idea of using Sully Hospital in this manner is ill conceived, and the lack of any consultation does not make me consider otherwise."

He urged people to sign petitions: "Make your voices heard against this stupidity."