MP challenges minister again over plans to bring 'up to 121' asylum seekers into Stoke Heath

An MP has called on the Government to attend a meeting this week in a Shropshire village at the heart of a refugee storm.

Mark Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin, also asked for a meeting with immigration minister Alex Norris to discuss plans to resettle dozens of asylum seekers in Stoke Heath, near Market Drayton.

Mr Pritchard revealed in the Commons last week that ‘up to 121’ asylum seekers would be relocated to Stoke Heath, many of them in new houses that residents had been told were to provide affordable housing in the village.

The MP has organised a meeting with residents on Thursday. He asked Mr Norris if he could ensure a representative of either the Home Office or government contractor Serco to attend.

Mr Pritchard raised the matter after Mr Norris had updated the Commons on the Government’s progress in moving asylum seekers out of hotels.

“The minister suggests that it is good news, and people moving out of hotels into other accommodation is just that,” he said.

“What he does not mention, however, is that other accommodation also includes houses in multiple occupation, and there are only so many military sites that may or may not be available.

“Given that I wrote to him on June 18, would the minister meet me to discuss Stoke Heath in my constituency, a village - actually, a rural settlement - of about 352 people, that is going to see the arrival of up to 121 asylum seekers?”

Mr Pritchard said people had been ‘kept in the dark’ about the plans.

“There has been secrecy, no consultation and no transparency,” he said.

“People have a right to know what is going on. Would he encourage a member of Serco to come along to that meeting and answer some of the local community’s concerns?”

He said the village had few public services, and the nearest bus stop was a 30-minute walk away.

Mr Norris agreed to meet Mr Pritchard, and said he would speak with the Home Office to see if somebody would be free to attend Thursday’s meeting.

“I am well aware of the matter concerning Stoke Heath, as he has pressed hard both verbally and in writing on that already,” he said.

“I will, of course, have the meeting with him that he asks for.

“The right honourable gentleman mentions an upcoming meeting. Let me speak to the department and see what we can do to ensure that he can have the fullest discussion possible.”