While I share the concern of Councillors David Smith and Lynda Hyde at the Government's system of moving asylum seekers around the country without their consent and with little regard for their welfare (The Argus, January 11), the comments from the councillors about possible use of hotel accommodation in Saltdean are equally disturbing.

Unless I am mistaken, Saltdean is still a part of the UK, one of the most prosperous nations in the world.

The UK makes much of its money selling weapons and torture equipment to despotic regimes, taking oil, minerals and other resources from poorer countries and polluting and degrading the environments of those countries.

Many of the businesses involved in these trades are based in Sussex and elsewhere in South-East England.

In addition to our legal obligation to protect refugees, there is a moral obligation to do so, which Saltdean shares with the rest of us.

Coun Hyde objects to asylum seekers on the grounds that Saltdean is a "residential area".

If she troubles herself to meet and befriend some asylum seekers, she will discover they are human beings like the rest of us and they live, breathe and eat like the rest of us.

They therefore need to live in "residential areas" like the rest of us. Is she suggesting they be sent to "industrial areas" or "agricultural areas"?

This U-turn by the Government gives Saltdean and, indeed, the rest of Brighton and Hove an opportunity to set an example by welcoming asylum seekers and providing support and comfort to this most vulnerable group of people.

The people and schools of Saltdean will be able to benefit through the cultural and linguistic diversity asylum seekers will bring to the area and, if the Government will reverse its recent decision to prevent asylum seekers from working, local businesses will also be able to benefit from their skills and spending.

-Paul Ward, P J Ward, Solicitors, Marlborough Place, Brighton