THE Bolton Evening News has recently published articles and letters concerning asylum seekers and I suspect there has been a tendency to hype and distort the actual facts.

It is a fact that the vast majority of asylum seekers are law abiding. Reported crime in Dover and Kent has fallen in the last three years.

It is a fact that asylum seekers receive only 70 per cent of basic income support mainly in vouchers for designated shops. They are not allowed to do paid work and earn a living.

It is a fact during the 1999-2000 financial year the total cost of all asylum seekers was less that one 1/5 of 1 per cent of all public expenditure. It is a fact that most asylum seekers come from countries with appalling human rights records. People leave everything to flee persecution. You would run too. There will shortly be a General Election and I would like to invite the candidates for Bolton constituencies to explain to readers how they will support the human rights of asylum seeks. Do they agree with the following recommendations made by Amnesty International ?

Every asylum claim should be considered fully on its individual merits and not pre-judged on the basis of nationality.

All asylum seekers should have access to legal advice.

Asylum seekers should not be arbitrarily detained.

Immigration controls should not prevent asylum seekers from escaping persecution.

The 1951 UN Refugee Convention should be upheld and properly implemented.

I look forward to hearing their views before election day.

Andy Parker

Ramwells Brow

Bromely Cross

Bolton