Communist Web Tuesday 18th April 2000 9.30pm gmt It's got to go --lock, stock and barrel by MIKE AMBROSE and LEIGH ARNOLD TRANSPORT union TGWU general secretary Bill Morris blasting vouchers for asylum- seekers as "grot-esque"yesterday, demanding that the system "should be scrapped root and branch." Mr Morris, whose hard-hitting comments on Home Office racism were backed by anti- racist campaigners, raged against the system at the TUC black workers' conference in Southport. He told delegates: "It's got to go. Yes, it's got to go, lock, stock and barrel. That's the only answer." Mr Morris received a standing ovation from the 400 delegates for his no-holds barred attack on the system, which was introduced by Home Secretary Jack Straw (left) in the 1999 Immigration and Asylum Act. "I say, and this conference must say, that the voucher system is degrading and inhumane," said Mr Morris, who was seconding an emergency motion moved by public- sector union UNISON. "It creates victims and it stigmatises, but, above all, it brings you into sharp contrast with those around you. Others have money and you have vouchers. It's grotesque." Mr Morris slammed the government for insisting that refugees cannot even receive change from the vouchers if the goods they buy cost less than the value of the vouchers. "This government will end up subsidising supermarket giants like Tesco and Sainsburys. That is not the redistribution that I voted for," he said to massive applause. Mr Morris also fired off a chilling warning on "where the scheme is going." He insisted: "This is probably an experiment. If you lose your job, what then? All those on state benefits may well end up getting vouchers instead of money. We are just one step away." Lee Jasper, secretary of the National Assembly Against Racism said: "We wholeheartedly welcome and agree with... http://www.billkath.demon.co.uk/cw/itsgot/itsgot.html
