The Home Office yesterday denied claims that "thousands" of Czech and Slovak gypsies were heading for Kent from the Continent. A Conservative MP, Mr Roger Gale, said the gypsies were hoping to breach immigration controls and abuse Britain's asylum system. But his claim was dismissed as scaremongering by the immigration minister, Mr Mike O'Brien.
However, Mr O'Brien said there did appear to be a "concerted" effort by illegal immigrants to swamp Dover, in the hope of being able to avoid controls and stay in Britain. He is expected to meet Dover's Labour MP, Mr Gwynn Prosser, today.
Mr O'Brien was commenting as social services in Kent struggled to cope with a huge influx of asylum-seekers arriving at Dover ferry port. Kent Social Services are bound to provide for women and children under the 1989 Children Act and the 1948 National Assistances Act relating to destitute adults.
Mr O'Brien said 113 people arrived on Friday. Officials put 36 back on the boat, 22 were detained under immigration powers and the claims of others are being considered. A further 32 arrived on Saturday, with eight detained, three put back on the boat and the others being processed quickly.
"The immigration service is dealing with these cases firmly and speedily. We are determined to defend the integrity of the asylum system for the sake of genuine refugees," said Mr O'Brien.
"Some of the gypsies are telling us that eastern European television said the asylum and benefits system in Britain can be abused."
Speculation that floods of east European gypsies were waiting to come to Britain was "irresponsible scaremongering", said Mr O'Brien.
The cost to Kent's social services budget would exceed £1 million.
Mr Gale, who described the situation as "one hell of a problem" which "is going to get worse," said there were already 500 to 600 so-called asylum-seekers in the Dover/Thanet area.
"This is already costing Kent County Council some £1 million over a 12-month period and this emergency is going to make it that much worse," the Conservative MP said.
"All the bed-and-breakfast accommodation in the area is being used and they had to reopen an old people's home to accommodate these families. This is now a major emergency."