-b-
e) Sponsorship by individuals and families could help with adaptation but could
present problems e.g. extended families who would not be separated.
f)
Finance There would be need for detailed costing before any extension of programme could be considered.
g)
h)
Some members urged that, as there was more immediate prospect of resettling the boat people e.g. in USA, Australia, preference should be given to those, especially the Laotians, who had already been up to 3 years in Thailand in difficult conditions. Others urged that an offer should be made which would relieve Hong Kong of some of the "boat people".
There should not be a "quota" but an open-ended agreement without restriction of numbers.
It was finally agreed
i)
that, as this was a policy issue affecting several Committees and because some organisations such as BCAR, which would be closely involved, were not represented on the Asia Committee, the matter should be passed to the Standing Conference for discussion at its next meeting on 19th September.
ii) that the Asia Committee should recommend to SCOR that an approach be made to HMG urging acceptance of increased numbers of boat people and a more lenient consideration of those applying from the camps in Southeast Asia through a special programme without stringent criteria, and asking for more financial support to the voluntary agencies which would make every effort to improve and extend facilities for the reception and resettlement of these refugees.
Some organisations, although not in disagreement, felt that the propo- sition should be more positive. The proposal would, however, be discussed in greater detail by SCOR on 19 September.
Mr. Heidler expressed his satisfaction at the open-ended undertaking of HMG to accept all "boat people" picked up by ships registered in the UK which would be an example to other countries. He hoped that facilities for reception could be improved, preferably through the Centre, followed by resettlement in the provinces. He stressed the needs of those in the camps in Thailand who formed the major problem and hoped the UK would agree to a special programme for them.
7. BANGLADESH
Refugees from Burma This item was deferred due to shortage of time.
5. Any Other Business
a) Report to SCOR
At the meeting of SCOR on September 19th Asia was to be the main regional subject. As the Chairman could not be present it had been suggested that brief reports on the chief issues should be given by individual members.
It was agreed that the following topics should be covered:-
i) Indo-Chinese in Southeast Asia- Lady Alexandra Metcalfe, the Vice-Chairman
if she could not, Dr. G. Barclay, who would speak on his recent visit.
or,
/
ii) The Situation in Indo-China Dr. J. McMichael
iii) Bangladesh The Refugees from Burma
Buda
A representative from Oxfam.
b) The Archbishop of Canterbury
Mr. Philip Goodhart reported that the Archbishop had received a letter suggesting that he could use his refugees. Mr. Hugh Hanning, Inter
fluence in some way to help Indo-Chinese tional Secreta, Church of England
.../7