C
WILL WE CUT OFF AID TO VIETNAM?
8. We shall certainly not be giving more aid.
4
WILL WE TERMINATE THE CONTRACT TO ASSIST THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR SHIPS FOR VIETNAM BY AID FUNDS?
9.
Unfortunately it would cost us more to cancel the contract
than it would to complete it.
POLICY TOWARDS PEOPLE RESCUED AT SEA
10. As my right honourable Friend the Home Secretary stated
on the 11th June in another place, we shall honour our
international obligations in accordance with the Convention
on Safety of Life at Sea. These obligations require masters.
of British ships to assist those in distress at sea. Ι
cannot give a commitment that such people would be accepted
into this country irrespective of the circumstances.
HOW MANY REFUGEES HAVE WE AGREED TO ACCEPT AND HOW MANY HAVE ALREADY REACHED THIS COUNTRY?
11.
Between Spring 1975 and 27 June this year, we agreed to
from Indo-China accept 4,466 people. 3,168 are now in this country, including
the majority of the refugees saved by the mv Sibonga and all
those from the my Roach Bank.
WILL BRITAIN TAKE MORE REFUGEES?
12. The special statement on Indo-Chinese refugees issued
at the Summit Meeting in Tokyo on the 28 June makes clear
that the commitment to admit more people takes into account
the existing social and economic circumstances in each country.
ろ
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