11.
The Government fully support the efforts of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees, who is striving for solutions
to this appalling refugee problem. The High Commissioner
called international consultations last month to discuss the
refugee situation in South-East Asia. I attended and, on my
return, reported to the House. The enclosed extract from
Hansard may interest your constituent.
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As for the refugees aboard the vessel which diverted to Hong
Kong just before Christmas, you will no doubt have heard that
the HUEY FONG entered Hong Kong waters on 19 January. For
humanitarian reasons, the Hong Kong Government have now
permitted those on board to land temporarily, pending
resettlement elsewhere in due course.
Overcrowded Hong Kong
is experiencing immense problems in coping, not only with the
steady stream of Vietnamese refugees (who arrive there in
their own junks or who are rescued at sea and brought to
Hong Kong in merchant vessels), but also with a steady flow
of immigrants, both legal and illegal, from China. The
Colony's physical ability to cope is stretched almost to the
limit. Its population has grown from about half-a-million
in 1945 to 4.5 million now. Since the change of régime in
South Vietnam in 1975, the Hong Kong Government have arranged
for 4,800 former residents of Vietnam to come to Hong Kong
to join close relatives there. A further 5,700 who made
their own way to the Colony have been allowed to settle, even
though they had no special claim on Hong Kong. Over 9,000
people have been granted temporary shelter in the Colony and
are awaiting resettlement elsewhere. The number is growing
daily.
/Against
J