CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn Sittingbourne's only hotel into an induction centre for more than 100 asylum seekers is to be debated in the House of Commons on Monday, March 3.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Derek Wyatt was successful in the ballot for the end of day adjournment debate which means he can pose written questions to the Home Office Minister for Immigration, Beverley Hughes about the future of the Coniston Hotel.

He will ask her what permission was given by NASS (National Asylum Support Service) to Accommodata to move into the hotel on February 5 to begin preparations to receive asylum seekers.

He will also ask her whether hotel contractor Accommodata has been given permission by NASS to refurbish the hotel.

Her holding answer is also already on the record. She says: "The contract entered into between NASS and Accommodata is for 111 bed spaces at the hotel.

"Other accommodation at the hotel, including bedrooms which are not part of the NASS contract, will be available for use by the general public.

"The owner of the hotel does not need permission from NASS to refurbish his premises. Neither does Accommodata require permission from NASS to undertake work at the hotel."