There was a bit of a storm this week over the Government’s decision to make a U-turn and allow approximately 500 Syrian refugees to enter the country on temporary visas. The Prime Minister has been criticised by some of showing weakness and of political posturing but others take a different view.

There is no doubt that previous governments have allowed immigration to get out of hand and only recently have our rulers started to realise the mistakes they made in opening our borders to all and sundry. Immigration is now a very hot political potato and public opinion seems to be firmly against any further mass influx.

Many believe that charity should begin at home and, looking at the economic problems we still face, that has to be right. However, there are times when common decency and humanity have to take a front seat and now is one of those times.

We in the West, in spite of the daily images on our television screens, can barely imagine the extent of the suffering of that tragic country and having made, in my opinion, the correct decision not to become militarily involved the least we can now do is try to offer some small comfort to those who so desperately need it.

Of course, that comfort will come from the taxpayer but that should be no consideration – I’m sure we can all think of far worse examples of government expenditure.