ANNEX B
ARRANGEMENTS FOR RECEPTION AND RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS
1.
The Government relies on the voluntary refugee organisations to handle the reception and resettlement of all refugees. The two major organisations are the British Council for Aid to Refugees (BCÂR), who co-ordinate the work of the other bodies, and the Ockenden Venture. The rate of reception is effectively. dependent on the capacity of these organisations.
2. The increase in the numbers of refugees in the last year or so has necessitate financial assistance from the Government to meet the additional costs. BCAR's estimate of the cost (exclusive of social security payments) of receiving and resettl- ing refugees is approximately £350 per head per year. In the last financial year, a total of £343,000 was paid by the Home Office to the voluntary refugee organisations. So far in this financial year, out of the £1M estimated for the purpose, £30,000 has been paid in respect of the Vietnamese, £34,000 in respect of refugees from Latin America and £14,000 for BCAR's administrative cost. During the year, the greater part of the likely expendi- ture will be in respect of refugees from South East Asia (of whom about 1300 are still to come from the quota of 1500 agreed by the last Covernment). This estimate, however, does not make allowance for groups (like those from the Sibonga and Roach Bank) picked up by British ships and for whom we might have to accept responsibility There are currently some 550 refugees from South East Asi in the care of the voluntary organisations.
3. The voluntary organisations could not handle substantial extra numbers of Vietnamese refugees without more Government money and other forms of practical help for example, in finding accommo- dation and specialist staff - which could make demands on Departments other than the Home Office. They would also have to take on extra temporary administrative and case-working staff.
4.
BCAR's initial reaction to the group from the m.v. Sibonga is that, given sufficient notice say about three months - arrangements could be made between Ockenden and themselves to receive them. A great deal would depend on the rate of arrival. If all, or the bulk, of the 984 were to arrive over a very short period (e.g. on to three months) they would almost certainly have to be received into camps. The Government would have to help BCAR (through the PSA) to find a camp, and possibly Ockenden as well (although the latter may be able to obtain suitable premises on their own). Camps of this size would need extra staff - perhaps 30 to 40 per camp. Some of these extra staff could be found locally, but the professionals, administrative assistants, interpreters and case-workers) would have to be advertised for. BCAR think that the necessary staff could be obtained in time.
5. If the arrivals could be spread over a year, this might obviate the need for more than one camp, but it would still be necessary to obtain more accommodation than is available at present. If the 293 refugees picked up by the m.v. Roach Benk have to be accepted almost at once (Taiwan, the first port of call, refused even temporary accommodation to the 360 "Well Park" refugees), special emergency arrangements, including a camp, will be needed and contingency plans are already in hand.
COMMENTINI,