IN 1937 Southampton and Eastleigh took in 3,000 Basque child refugees who were fleeing fascist forces in Spain.

We did this against the instruction of our government, through the efforts of volunteers.

This week Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith and Eastleigh MP Mims Davies voted against a proposal to accept into this country an additional 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees who have crossed into Europe.

It saddens and sickens me that the towns which opened their homes and hearts to refugees in the past are today represented by MPs who could reject such a modest proposal.

If this city could manage that number in 1937, the entire country can certainly cope with far more today.

Dr John Lapage

Southampton