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$5
351
Hong Kong
17 MAY 1979
[Mr. Blaker.] problem, and I certainly acknowledge that it is one that Hong Kong shares with the ASEAN countries. But Hong Kong is now receiving proportionately more boat refugees than anywhere else in the region, yet the rate of onward movement from Hong Kong is proportionately much lower.
In the first three months of this year, over 14,000 boat refugees arrived in Hong Kong compared with 13,400 in Malaysia, 2,750 in the Philippines, and 2,100 in Thailand. Only 2,300 left Hong Kong for permanent resettlement elsewhere, but over 10,700 were resettled from Malaysia, nearly 1,900 from Thailand and 1.150 from the Philippines. I hope, therefore, that our friends the ASEAN countries will understand why the British Govern- ment attach importance to Hong Kong's being included in the scheme now under discussion among ASEAN countries for the establishment of a regional processing centre for refugees.
We shall also continue to work closely with the United Nations High Commis- sioner for Refugees in his attempts to find solutions to the problem. We know the difficulties that he faces, and we are very conscious that the problem of Vietnamese refugees is far from being the only one with which he has to deal. But it is important that ways should be found to speed up the processing of refugees in Hong Kong.
As my hon. Friend has mentioned, the High Commissioner's representative in Hong Kong has so far assumed respon- sibility for only a quarter of the refugees from Vietnam in the territory. I hope that the High Commissioner will now agree to accept responsibility for all refugees from Vietnam in Hong Kong, and start the process of resettlement for all of them. But the main requirement is for more resettlement places, and this above all is where a major new inter- national effort is needed.
I accept my hon. Friend's point that diplomacy is required. I note what my hon. Friend has said about the need for this country to do more, whether under the last Government or under this Gov- ernment. As the House is aware, the United Kingdom has already offered to take 1,000 refugees from Hong Kong and 250 each from Malaysia and Thailand
1 L 40
(Vietnamese Refugees)
552
over the next year or so. This is a con- siderable gesture in the light of our other commitments. Nevertheless, the Govern- ment will keep this matter under careful review.
In addition to ourselves, only the United States and Canada have at present pro- grammes for the resettlement of Vietna- mese refugees from Hong Kong. On the basis of our present knowledge of offers that have been made, or are likely to be made, it seems improbable that resettle- ment places will be available for more than 800 or so a month during 1979. With arrivals now averaging nearly 500 a day, as I have said, and still going up, it is clear that this is wholly inadequate. We intend, therefore, to pursue all possible opportunities for increasing this rate of resettlement, and shall urge other countries to take on a fair share of the burden.
Mr. James Lamond (Oldham, East): Is the hon. Gentleman really saying that he feels that our Government are playing an adequate part by accepting 1,000 of these Vietnamese refugees? Surely, if we are attempting to persuade other countries to come to their assistance, we could make a more generous gesture, because 1,000 is nothing at all.
Mr. Blaker: Of course, 1,000 was the decision of the former Government.
Mr. Lamond: Yes.
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Mr. Blaker: I said that this was a con- siderable gesture, and I think that is the right phrase in the light of our other commitments, because many people come into this country and present a problem which does not occur all over the world. However, I have said that the Government will keep this matter under careful review.
I want to refer finally to remarks made by my hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove and Redditch (Mr. Miller) in the debate on the Address on 15 May. He said that the people of Hong Kong looked to the Government for an assur- ance that Britain would continue to be responsible for their interest and to care for them. I am happy to give that assur- ancc. The Government are fully aware of their responsibilities and obligations to- wards Hong Kong, and will fulfil them.
Question put and agreed to.
Adjourned accordingly at twenty-three minutes pust Ten o'clock,
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