Mr Hague's proposals

New asylum seekers to be held in detention centres Cutting out duplication of casework and tape recording interviews Assuming applicants from 'safe' countries are not fleeing persecution Reminding other European states that asylum seekers should be dealt with by the first country they enter Setting up a removals agency to remove asylum seekers from the country immediately if their applications are refused

Mr Hague has insisted he has the right to highlight "organised abuse" of the UK's immigration system.

In his speech, Mr Hague said Britain had a "proud tradition" of offering sanctuary but warned: "That tradition is now under threat as never before."

The number of asylum applications has risen from under 4,000 in 1988 to 71,000 last year, and the "consistent" pattern was that between 70% and 80% of claims were unfounded, said Mr Hague.

The Conservative leader continued: "People are arriving in Britain armed with expert knowledge of how to exploit our asylum laws; what to say on arrival; how to string out appeals and how to remain here if their cases are eventually turned down."

He called for all new asylum seekers to be held in centres, probably former army barracks, where they could be "adequately housed and supported" while their claims were processed.

At present, most refugees are dispersed throughout the country and only a minority are detained.

The issue of asylum seekers has become a key issue in the local elections on 4 May.

Both major parties have been accused of creating a debate on the issue that could give comfort to racists, after the Liberal Democrats reported Labour and the Tories to the Commission for Racial Equality.

And last week, union leader Bill Morris accused the government of "giving life to racists".

'Cruel deception'

In response to the Tory leader's proposals, Home Secretary Jack Straw said: "William Hague's speech is further confirmation that the Conservatives are more interested in exploiting the asylum issue than they are in dealing with it.

"It is a cruel deception from a deeply cynical party."

Oakington Reception Centre: Already in use

And immigration minister Barbara Roche said the Tories had been to blame for the problems in the asylum system.

She declared: "This is empty rhetoric. The Tories had their chance to deal with the asylum system, but left it in a shambles."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes said he was "comfortable" with housing asylum seekers in reception centres, providing they were "respectable and reasonable places" and residents were free to come and go.

He said: "I guess that the Hague speech today is much less about the interests of refugees, asylum seekers or the British electorate than the interests of the Tory Party."