THE TOPIC of asylum seekers will be on the agenda of the annual meeting of local government authorities after Fareham council suggested it for debate.

Leader Sean Woodward said he was delighted the motion had been accepted by the Local Government Association as it was a topic close to the hearts of residents in Fareham and Gosport, given the prospect of a 400-bed accommodation centre being proposed for Daedalus.

He said: "I am very pleased that the association has seen fit to pick my motion for debate. The issue of asylum is obviously very topical in Fareham and Gosport due to the government's unwelcome proposal to site accommodation for 400 single men at the former HMS Daedalus.

"I shall be raising in the debate a number of the economic, social and environmental problems such a proposal would bring to our area and hope that I will receive the support of all local government on this issue."