Home Office in doubt on Sully (From Barry And District News)

Home Office in doubt on Sully

SULLY Hospital will NOT be used for asylum seekers if it is unsuitable for the purpose, the Home Office pledged this week.

Vale MP John Smith is "more confident than ever" that the proposals will not go ahead after a meeting with Minister for Citizenship and Immigration Lord Rooker.

Mr Smith said he had received a "categorical assurance" that the disused site would not become an accommodation centre for refugees seeking to stay in Britain unless it was totally right for them.

The minister also indicated to Mr Smith that he was aware of some of the "serious difficulties" associated with the site.

The assurance follows weeks of uproar in the area, which has seen many local people lashing out at the proposals, saying they do not want asylum seekers housed there.

But Mr Smith said: "I am very assured by my meeting.

"The minister responsible for this project confirmed the undertaking given to me by the Home Secretary that there will be no question of Sully being used if it is unsuited to the Home Office's purposes as a special immigration centre.

"Lord Rooker also stated that the agents currently advising the government had only the barest information about the eight proposed sites, including Sully."

He added: "As Sully is too small, a listed building and in the wrong location, I am more confident than ever that it will not be chosen."

n Sully Hospital closed in March 2001, when the final mental health patients were moved to Barry and Whitchurch hospitals.

One Vale resident, whose wife was on the Dyfed ward, said: "This big loss will be the garden facilities, but I'm confident there are plans for a garden at Barry." n What you think - see page 12.