London camps for refugees

The prospect of refugee camps in London's parks and open spaces was raised yesterday by Andrew Slaughter, leader of Labour-controlled Hammersmith & Fulham Council, in a letter to Stephen Dorrell, the Secretary of State for Health.

The council is one of the three authorities ordered by the High Court on Tuesday to provide the basics of life to destitute asylum-seekers who do not qualify for income support. Tory-controlled Westminster and Labour Lambeth are also subject to the ruling. Mr Slaughter said the Tent City site at Wormwood Scrubs, west London, was being readied in anticipation of hundreds of claimants in coming weeks. The council says there is no money in its budgets and no room in council accommodation to meet the needs of the expected rising numbers. Patricia Wynn Davies