This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35767923

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
SNP's Angus Robertson urges PM to back asylum seeker inquiry SNP's Angus Robertson urges PM to back asylum seeker inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister David Cameron has been asked to sanction an inquiry into private companies providing accommodation to asylum seekers.Prime Minister David Cameron has been asked to sanction an inquiry into private companies providing accommodation to asylum seekers.
Allegations of poor treatment were raised at PMQs by the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson.Allegations of poor treatment were raised at PMQs by the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson.
He was speaking following a BBC Scotland investigation into claims asylum seekers in Glasgow might have been locked out of their homes.He was speaking following a BBC Scotland investigation into claims asylum seekers in Glasgow might have been locked out of their homes.
Mr Cameron said he was happy to have such issues "properly" looked at.Mr Cameron said he was happy to have such issues "properly" looked at.
He then pointed to a report by the Home Affairs Select Committee which concluded there was an "impending shortage" of housing for asylum seekers.He then pointed to a report by the Home Affairs Select Committee which concluded there was an "impending shortage" of housing for asylum seekers.
It also said that there was an unequal distribution of asylum seekers in the UK with Glasgow having had the most - 3,084 people - as of the end of 2015.It also said that there was an unequal distribution of asylum seekers in the UK with Glasgow having had the most - 3,084 people - as of the end of 2015.
Mr Robertson raised the matter of how people looking for sanctuary in the UK are treated during Mr Cameron's weekly House of Commons question and answer session.Mr Robertson raised the matter of how people looking for sanctuary in the UK are treated during Mr Cameron's weekly House of Commons question and answer session.
He said: "This week the Scottish Refugee Council called for an investigation into allegations about the way asylum seekers are treated and housed in Glasgow.He said: "This week the Scottish Refugee Council called for an investigation into allegations about the way asylum seekers are treated and housed in Glasgow.
"They want the Home Office to commission an independent inquiry into claims of substandard housing and dehumanising treatment of refugees by the private company contracted to provide accommodation services by your government."They want the Home Office to commission an independent inquiry into claims of substandard housing and dehumanising treatment of refugees by the private company contracted to provide accommodation services by your government.
"Will you commission that investigation?""Will you commission that investigation?"
Mr Cameron responded by saying: "We are very happy for these issues to be properly investigated.Mr Cameron responded by saying: "We are very happy for these issues to be properly investigated.
"The Home Affairs Select Committee in this House of Commons has just done a report into the way that asylum housing is commissioned and of course if the Scottish Parliament wants to carry out those investigations, of course the United Kingdom government will cooperate with that.""The Home Affairs Select Committee in this House of Commons has just done a report into the way that asylum housing is commissioned and of course if the Scottish Parliament wants to carry out those investigations, of course the United Kingdom government will cooperate with that."
He added: "What we need to do is make sure that where we take people in, we make sure they are properly housed, properly looked after, their children are schooled, because that's the sort of generous country we are."He added: "What we need to do is make sure that where we take people in, we make sure they are properly housed, properly looked after, their children are schooled, because that's the sort of generous country we are."
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also called for an investigation into the treatment of asylum seekers.
She said: "The prime minister cannot continue to ignore the stories we are hearing about the frankly inhumane treatment of asylum seekers.
"David Cameron should do the decent thing and order an independent inquiry today.
"The Scottish response to the refugee crisis was inspiring. As millions of people fled war on the other side of the world, Scottish families, councils and charities stepped up to do their bit.
"Our humanity cannot stop there, and accounts of refugees being threatened, humiliated and treated as second class citizens by staff working on contracts handed out by the UK Government should shock David Cameron into action."
Company denialCompany denial
The BBC Scotland investigation was told of allegations that asylum seekers could have been locked out of their homes in breach of agreed eviction guidelines.The BBC Scotland investigation was told of allegations that asylum seekers could have been locked out of their homes in breach of agreed eviction guidelines.
An ex-employee of housing provider Orchard & Shipman (O&S) said this "brutal" practice was leaving people homeless.An ex-employee of housing provider Orchard & Shipman (O&S) said this "brutal" practice was leaving people homeless.
The housing company has strongly denied breaching guidelines.The housing company has strongly denied breaching guidelines.
O&S has managed the £221m Home Office contract for asylum seeker accommodation in Scotland and Northern Ireland, on behalf of international service company Serco, since September 2012.O&S has managed the £221m Home Office contract for asylum seeker accommodation in Scotland and Northern Ireland, on behalf of international service company Serco, since September 2012.
Asylum seekers in Scotland come from all over the world including Somalia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Eritrea.Asylum seekers in Scotland come from all over the world including Somalia, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Eritrea.