TORY PARTY CONFERENCE - FOWLER ATTACKS BLAIR ON DRUGS

Sir Norman Fowler, the shadow Home Secretary, accused the Government
yesterday of wasting money on illegal asylum seekers while cutting
down on police officers.

Calling for tough measures on law and order, Sir Norman also insisted
that sex offenders should be kept behind bars indefinitely if
necessary to protect children.

"The Government estimates that over the next three years the taxpayer
will spend at least UKP1bn in supporting asylum applicants, the vast
majority of whom are bogus . it is ludicrous to see the police cut
back while we are planning to spend this amount of money on illegal
immigration," he said.

Sir Norman told representatives at the conference that people "do not
want to see sex offenders released to go free until there is some
sensible belief that they will not offend again.

"We will therefore be consulting on how our sentencing system can be
strengthened to meet that aim, including the use of more indeterminate
sentences," he said.

Sir Norman added he did not believe that the early release of more
convicted offenders into the community was the answer "to all our problems".

On drugs, Sir Norman called for "zero tolerance" and in a swipe at
Tony Blair's association with pop artists, he said: "The Prime
Minister needs to be cautious about his guest list. Frankly, Mr Blair,
you don't invite to No 10 people who support drug use."

Roger Gale, the Tory MP for Thanet North, warned, to warm applause
from representatives, that there could be social unrest if immigration
was not curbed.

"I am all for supporting those in genuine need. Quite another thing is
to see our social security system, hospitals and schools used by those
whose chief ambition is to spin it hard at the taxpayers' expense
while others in greater need have to go without," he said.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry