'Migrant threat to UK'

The Tories today stepped up their rhetoric on immigration, claiming that incomers were "endangering" the nation.

Using the strongest language heard from any mainstream politician for years, he said immigration was putting a strain on public services, schools and hospitals.

"Uncontrolled immigration endangers the values that we in Britain rightly treasure," he said.

He warned that numbers were three times higher than when Labour came to power, not counting illegal entries. "Immigration alone could fill six new cities the size of Birmingham over the next three decades," he claimed.

"The Government says that it doesn't know if this level of immigration is too much or too little. Well, let me tell them - it is too much, far too much."

Mr Davis insisted the Tories would always welcome hard-working newcomers. "But respect for past immigrants doesn't mean backing away from our duty now," he added. "Britain is already the most densely populated major country in Europe."

He said new communities were not evenly distributed but settled in "our most overcrowded areas. It puts a burden on housing, health, schools and other public services."

Mr Davis said he made "no apologies" for speaking out on the subject. If mainstream parties failed to address "real public concern" then extremists would fill the gap, he said.

Making it clear that the Tories would put immigration control at the heart of their manifesto, he added: "It will be a central issue at the next election. A Conservative government will substantially cut immigration into Britain. We Conservatives understand how vital it is not to threaten what makes this country so tolerant, so decent, so respectful of other people's rights - and, yes, so welcoming of people who come here."

He told the party conference that a future Tory government would curb illegal immigration by reintroducing physical checks on everyone leaving and entering the country.

Asylum seekers would be processed overseas where possible and an annual quota for the total level of immigration would be voted on by Parliament.

"This will reassure people about their future," he said. "And it will sweep away once and for all the web of distortion and deceit that poisons this debate.

"I make no apologies for talking about immigration. It is an issue of real public concern. It will be a central issue at the next election.

"And have no doubt: if the legitimate parties don't discuss it, the real danger is that extremists will. We will not give them that opportunity."

In a hard-hitting speech seen by colleagues as a bold attempt to become the darling of the rank-and-file party faithful, Mr Davis also pledged action on drugs and 20,000 new prison places costing ?760million. "Prison does work. Criminals fear it," he said.

Mr Davis claimed the public were crying out for tougher law-and-order policies, saying: "The citizen today is frightened, angry and restless."

He also announced a new scheme to encourage random drugs tests in schools for children aged 13 or more. In addition, Tory leader Michael Howard today pledged to increase the number of drug rehabilitation centres to help junkies break the circle of crime and addiction.