MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff is convinced floating asylum accommodation centres could help solve the country's refugee problems.

He believes this solution should be given a trial after a 24-hour visit to Holland, where floating centres are already in place.

He went with Keith Best, the chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, to see facilities provided by shipping firm Bibby Line to the Dutch Government.

The floating unit currently houses 400 asylum seekers, but can take up to 500. It is moored in the coastal town of Dordrecht, about a mile from the town centre.

Mr Luff said the accommodation was simple but adequate, and was similar to a student hall of residence.

"The residents were clearly happy with the accommodation itself - their complaints were more about the food and the fact they had to sign in daily," he said.

He said their other major concern was that they were too far from town - but said the location was far more convenient than Throckmorton, the proposed site for a refugee centre.

"Contrast the mile or so they are from a town of 120,000 people with the Government's plans to put 750 asylum seekers many miles from much smaller towns and I think you can see how wrong the plans are," said Mr Luff.

He said the great advantage of the floating units was that they were infinitely flexible, in terms of the facilities that could be provided on them and where they could be put.

Up to 2,000 beds could be made available in a matter of weeks, rather than in more than a year under the Government's current plans, he said.

"I'm not saying floating units will solve all the asylum problems we face, but they could make a major contribution," he added.

"I have prepared a computer presentation to show to the Minister, Beverley Hughes, and any other interested body, and I will be seeking a meeting with her as a matter of urgency."