Yesterday saw as many as 265 different applications by asylum seekers to get a residence permit on just one day. If the trend of increasing numbers continues, Belgium will be facing a major shortage in September if nothing is being done. Belgian now boasts a capacity of 18,400 places, but nearly all of these have been taken at present.

The Asylum and Migration Secretary Theo Francken (Flemish nationalist) says that the upward trend started in May, and that it is being confirmed. The federal government is now creating 2,500 extra places in the short run, in army barracks and present reception centres, and also by reopening a centre in Holsbeek. "As a west-European country, we want to guarantee that we have a humane policy, offering people on the run a bath, a bed and bread."

The government had put aside some 80 million for this purpose. The extra places are costing 15 to 20 million every three months.