REFUGEES could be forcibly relocated to the Hebrides under plans being discussed by council officials and the Home Office.

Western Isles Council is one of a number of local authorities considering taking part in the Gateway Protection Programme, in which they would receive government funding for housing refugees.

Foreign nationals who have been granted leave to live in Britain after fleeing persecution in their own country would have no choice but to live in the area if they want to qualify for government support.

The plan is supported by some politicians who believe vulnerable refugees fleeing persecution will be happy to start a new life in the islands.

However critics are concerned at refugees living in a remote area with its own distinctive culture, religious practices and language.

Under a deal struck with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Britain has agreed to give 500 refugees indefinite leave to remain every year and to help them resettle.

The Home Office will provide financial support, including housing costs, and to assist them in becoming economically active.

So far only five councils, all in England, have signed up for the programme, agreeing to house 300 refugees.

If, as expected, the Western Isles signs up to the scheme, future refugees will be told they must live there if they want to qualify for support, according to a report in the new edition of Holyrood magazine.

Naomi McAuliffe, a campaigner with Amnesty Scotland, said she was “very concerned about potential dispersal to the Western Isles”.

“In 2000, when the Home Office started to disperse asylum seekers to Glasgow, we highlighted our concern that they would not have adequate access to legal aid, legal representation and interpretation services. These services would only be harder to access in a rural area.”

Patrick Harvie, convener of the Scottish parliament’s cross-party group on refugees, said: “You can’t just say that the Western Isles will take X number of people so let’s ship them off. Telling people where to live is just not acceptable.

“If people have leave to stay, they have to be given every chance to make a life for themselves and often that means staying close to places where people of their cultural backgrounds are living.

“I’m sure the Western Isles is a lovely place to stay but people should be free to choose.”

Angus McNeil, the local MP for the area, said he was sure refugees would be welcomed in the area and he hoped anyone coming to the Western Isles would enjoy the experience.

Alex MacDonald, the convener of the Western Isles Council, confirmed that the local authority would be “quite happy” to take part in the scheme. He said that bringing economically active refugees to the islands could help address a shortage of skilled workers. But he warned that the Home Office would have to help create extra homes on the islands to accommodate them because there is currently a housing shortage.

“We wouldn’t want to put people into a camp situation. We would want to get them integrated into the community,” he said.

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