Asylum Reception Centre: Linton-on-Ouse

Debate between Mark Menzies and Kevin Hollinrake

Tuesday 24th May 2022 Commons Chamber

[Kevin Hollinrake]

I am kind of surprised and kind of not. I can understand the political priority around the policy, which sits alongside the Rwanda policy. It was hastily rushed out and has not been properly considered.

But my hon. Friend is so right. I should point to the facility at Rivenhall, in the Home Secretary’s constituency. That was eventually removed because, according to the Home Office, there had been

“a failure to recognise that Rivenhall was not in a major conurbation”.

It said that asylum seekers should be placed in urban areas that encompass a number of cities or towns so that they can access support more easily. Crucially, to come back to my hon. Friend’s point, there was

“a failure to ensure that appropriate engagement had taken place with council officials and other service providers”.

Those are the Home Office’s own words, but exactly the same has happened again with this facility. There has been no consultation.

[Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)]

My hon. Friend is a tremendous champion for the people of Thirsk and Malton—that is not in doubt—but this issue is also about what is in the interest of the asylum seekers. We are dealing with people who are highly vulnerable, and the point he is making is very strong. It is about their ability to access support networks and to be in an appropriate environment, as opposed to being in an isolated, albeit incredibly beautiful part of the world. He is absolutely right to bring this question to the Floor of the House, and it is absolutely right that Ministers are held to account for this decision.