I AGREE with all that has been written in HAS in support of the Gurkhas, but it is unfortunate that correspondents seized the opportunity to express their hostile prejudices regarding other immigrants.
Peter Hill and Colin Mortimer (HAS, both April 28) and A Humble (HAS, April 30) think that Britain welcomes criminals and “preachers of hate”. Such people do get into Britain, but they are a minority and certainly not welcome – they are prosecuted and, if found guilty, imprisoned or deported as appropriate. Immigrants are no more likely to be criminals than any other section of the community.
Dennis Banham (HAS, May 1) refers to those who do nothing for our country and “cost us millions”. Even taking into account that one minority group of immigrants, asylum seekers, are not allowed to work so can’t pay taxes, immigrants overall pay far more in taxes than they take in benefits.
The Gurkhas are not the only soldiers from overseas to whom we owe our gratitude. Near London’s Hyde Park, I recently visited a memorial to nearly five million volunteers from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean who fought for Britain in two world wars.
They and their descendants should not be subjected to prejudice or discrimination.
Pete Winstanley, Durham.
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