If the reason for housing asylum seekers on a barge is to combat the cost of hotels, then surely a similar barge should be moored next to parliament (Dorset asylum seeker barge will not be like a prison, says minister, 6 April). That way, we could drastically cut back on the hotel and residence expenses of MPs by having them reside on such a resplendent riverboat.
At the same time, we could perhaps have Serco provide one of its marvellous prison catering services, rather than the oversubsidised jolly that we, the British public, are paying for now.
Douglas Moffat
London
• I can understand local opposition to the plan to house asylum seekers on a barge in Portland harbour – lack of infrastructure being the main concern. A more suitable site would be the Royal Docks in London. Plenty of deepwater moorings, excellent infrastructure and amenities, and easy access for Home Office appointments. Oh…
Roger Williams
MV Pegasus, Tarleton Boatyard
• Only Richard Drax MP could fail to see the irony of objecting to his own government’s plans to house refugees on a barge off the coast of his South Dorset constituency. This while he enjoys being the largest landowner in Dorset, courtesy of his family’s shocking slave-owning legacy from their sugar plantations in Barbados.
Peter Walker
London
• I read that Richard Drax MP and Dorset council – both Tory – are pursuing legal routes to overturn the decision to moor a refugees’ hulk in Portland port. To assist them in their noble aim of frustrating Suella Braverman and the government’s efforts, will they be engaging some lefty lawyers?
Julian McNamara
Chilcompton, Somerset
