WITH reference to your article ‘What’s an ‘average’ family?’ (Review April 15) referring to the refugees to be relocated to the Forest of Dean from the Middle East. 

Gethyn Davies is absolutely right to ask ‘how many people were likely to be in each family’ and how ignorant and naïve are the other councillors to assume that will be a man, woman and two children. Have they learnt nothing?

Families from the Middle East have a totally different culture to us in the UK – it is legal for them to have many wives and some have as many as 10. 

Will they all get paid benefits because multiple wives is their custom and will we then turn a blind eye when a man ‘stones’ his wife because she displeases him and he is following his culture?

A standard family unit from the Middle East can normally be a man, several wives, a lot of children, grandparents, uncles, aunts and a large number of cousins. 

If they don’t all come to the UK immediately will they be allowed to follow at a later date?

Their custom is one where they do not believe in educating girls, most of the women are unable to read and write their own language and they are not allowed to socialise so will not be learning English or joining the Women’s Institute. 

Will the government be paying for interpreters for each one and extra support for the children in schools?

These people all want to come to the UK because they have been fed a false idealistic view that everything is perfect and theirs for the taking. 

They are soon disillusioned when they find we have people living here in poverty and our liberal views conflict with their own. 

Don’t expect any thanks for bringing them to the Forest – generally immigrants like the cities where they can keep to their own tight-knit family and disappear into a community of mixed cultures.

I’m afraid most of our councillors need a lesson in different cultures.

Generally those from the Middle East have archaic views on how to treat women and all are plagued with fears from their archaic, violent and barbaric religions and fears of superstitions that we could not comprehend. 

A cultural shock ahead for everyone.

– Coleford resident.