Many young Asian women who are being brought to Keighley as wives are being deliberately discouraged from learning English, according to the town's MP.

Ann Cryer, speaking in the House of Commons, also said the expansion of satellite television meant local Asian children were starting school with no awareness of English.

She said she spoke up about these issues following a report into the Bradford riots in 2001, but felt the situation had not improved over the past five years.

However, a Keighley district councillor has rejected her claims.

Cllr Shamim Akhtar, who represents Keighley Central ward, said she knew of no cases where in-laws prevented young wives from learning English.

She added staff at nurseries in Lawkholme and Highfield always spoke English to the toddlers in their care.

Mrs Cryer said: "Many young Asian girls who have come to Keighley as wives are actively discouraged from learning English.

"This is because once they know English they know their rights and have the wherewithal to look after themselves.

"So many Asian in-laws in Keighley do not want their girls to learn English."

Highlighting the extent of the language problem among Asian Muslim toddlers, she said: "I visited a school in my constituency that is 95 per cent Muslim.

I was told that 95 per cent of its children enter school at three of four not with just no English, but with no knowledge of the language.

"In many cases they have never even heard it being spoken.

"When I commented on this five years ago, most Muslim children were at least watching various BBC children's programmes, so they had an idea of what English sounded like.

"Now most members of my Muslim community have satellite dishes and get the majority of their television programmes from Pakistan."

Cllr Akhtar questioned whether Mrs Cryer's views were based on close contact with members of the community.

"Is this just her opinion, or has she actually spoke to local Muslims about this?" she asked.

"Contrary to what Ann has said, many women with limited knowledge of English are attending English language classes.

"They know perfectly well it's in their interest to know the language so they can take part in day-to-day life. Their own families realise that as well and they do support them."

She said at most there might be a tiny number of cases of women being discouraged from learning English, but she had never encountered this problem herself.

Referring to the language skills of Muslim toddlers, she said it was wrong to state that they had no exposure to English before starting primary school.

"If you go to the local nurseries the staff there don't speak Urdu, Punjabi or Sylheti - they speak to the children in English," she said.

"As you'd expect it does take a while to learn English, but I totally disagree with the idea that there's no awareness of the language."