Meetings

NDM7455 Member Debate - Housing asylum seekers at the Penally military base

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Meeting: 18/11/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd (Item 6)

Member Debate under Standing Order 12.21(iv) - Housing asylum seekers at the Penally military base

NDM7455 Helen Mary Jones (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Believes that the UK Government should have held discussions with the Welsh Government and local representatives before housing asylum seekers at the Penally military base, near Tenby.

2. Believes that the decision should be reconsidered because it is an unsuitable place for asylum seekers, as it is isolated from appropriate support networks.

3. Condemns the violent protests organised by far-right groups from outside Pembrokeshire.

4. Praises local residents and volunteers from across Wales who have welcomed and supported the asylum seekers.

Co-submitters

Joyce Watson

Leanne Wood

Supporters

John Griffiths

Llyr Gruffydd

Mick Antoniw

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Condemns the disorder that has occurred from within the Penally military base, near Tenby, during its housing of asylum seekers in recent weeks, which has resulted in regular police attendance.

2. Notes reports of five arrests of asylum seekers resident in the Penally military base on 10 November 2020 and reports of two arrests from within the base in October 2020.

3. Further notes reports of asylum seekers resident in the Penally military base breaking coronavirus regulations and guidance and engaging in disorderly behaviour when travelling outside of it; and the consequent distress caused to Penally residents.

4. Believes that a partial cause of the situation at Penally is the failure of the UK Government to implement humane, firm and fair immigration and border controls which ensure that foreign non-UK-residents, and particularly those who have been refused asylum claims or refused the right to reside in other safe countries, do not illegally enter or remain in the UK.

5. Further believes that another partial cause of the situation at Penally is the Welsh Government's nation of sanctuary plan, which encourages foreign non-UK residents to enter the UK illegally and then make claims for asylum whilst located in Wales.

6. Strongly condemns the sometimes violent, intimidating, subversive and covert behaviour of extreme-left political parties and organisations, including Stand Up To Racism, Hope Not Hate and Far Right Watch Wales, that is directed towards people who express legitimate and reasonable political views in relation to the situation in Penally.

7. Believes that the views of Penally residents are at least as important as those people who are referred to as volunteers, stakeholder groups, and representatives; and praises the majority of Penally residents who are in favour of humane, firm and fair immigration and border controls in the UK, and applied to Penally specifically.

8. Believes that the housing of asylum seekers at the Penally military base should be discontinued.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.39

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7455 Helen Mary Jones (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Believes that the UK Government should have held discussions with the Welsh Government and local representatives before housing asylum seekers at the Penally military base, near Tenby.

2. Believes that the decision should be reconsidered because it is an unsuitable place for asylum seekers, as it is isolated from appropriate support networks.

3. Condemns the violent protests organised by far-right groups from outside Pembrokeshire.

4. Praises local residents and volunteers from across Wales who have welcomed and supported the asylum seekers.

Co-submitters

Joyce Watson

Leanne Wood

Supporters

John Griffiths

Llyr Gruffydd

Mick Antoniw

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

15

1

55

The motion without amendment was agreed.