Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has sent a two-page letter to The Rt Hon Suella Braverman KC MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department, UK Government, challenging her over the decision to house as many as 200 alleged illegal immigrants at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Dolgarrog.
In the letter, Mrs Finch-Saunders has asked for clarity as to:
- What consideration the Home Secretary gave to the fact that the decision is resulting in an increase of the local population by 50%;
- Whether she liaised with Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services, Welsh Government, and the Health Board, before making the decision to increase the burden on already struggling medical services;
- How much the UK Government will be investing in our local health facilities so to assist them with any additional demand created;
- How her department reached a conclusion that Dolgarrog is the most appropriate location in the whole of the UK;
- Whether any consideration had been given to the rurality of the village before moving alleged illegal immigrants there;
- What measures are in place to facilitate the quick arrival of emergency services should there be a situation at the location;
- Whether she has a communication strategy for this situation;
- How much her department is paying per night to the owners of the hotel to accommodate each alleged illegal immigrant.
Commenting after sending the letter, Janet said:
“The Hilton in Dolgarrog is a new luxury hotel on a site which has received several millions of pounds of Welsh Government funding to be developed as a tourist destination. It is a disgrace that tax payers money is being used to house alleged illegal immigrants who have contributed nothing to this nation in accommodation many locals could not afford.
“As I have outlined in my letter to Suella Braverman KC MP, Home Secretary, there are several reasons why the hotel in Dolgarrog is completely inappropriate.
“I have asked a series of questions, including why the local community and I had to find out via rumours on social media.
“The Home Secretary has caused considerable distress to a peaceful community. Rather than house alleged illegal immigrants in a luxury hotel, I suggest that she give urgent consideration to moving them elsewhere.
“I cannot believe that the Home Secretary has done this to the Conwy Valley. You can be sure that I will raise the situation in the Welsh Parliament this week and continue to challenge the UK Government over the matter. The way we have been treated by them and their decision is completely unacceptable and unforgivable”.
ENDS
