East Leeds councillor welcomes immigration inquiry (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

East Leeds councillor welcomes immigration inquiry

November 2, 2007 12:35 PM

Cllr Ralph Pryke

A new inquiry into whether immigrants jump the council housing queue has been launched by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission .

Cllr Ralph Pryke, chair of the Leeds City Council's planning watchdog, has welcomed the initiative and invited EHRC chairman Trevor Philips to visit Leeds to see for himself the pressures on local housing providers and meet local residents.

Cllr Ralph Pryke (Lib Dem, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill) said:

"In an era where spin and misinformation continues to reign supreme, it is virtually impossible to get a true picture of how immigration is affecting our housing situation.

"This is why an inquiry into this issue by an independent body such as the EHRC is so important. It is vital that the facts on this issue are presented to the public without political interference.

"People deserve to know the true facts of how their services and housing needs are being affected by immigrants. It is only then that we can engage in a proper debate. As things stand now the continuing confusion around this issue is manna from heaven for the hate-mongers from the far-right."