7 -
19. The proposed section 13E, provides additional legal powers to
repatriate any refugee, if and when circumstances permit. This is
impossible at present in view of the attitudes of the Vietnamese
Government. However, the Government will keep this possibility under
review.
20. This change of policy will not be cheap. The recurrent cost
is likely to be about $18m, plus the cost of some staff already charged
to Departmental votes. The capital costs, will be $50m. We are in
touch with UNHCR over the sharing of the costs of maintaining refugees
in closed camps and its contribution might amount to about $9m for
the rest of this year.
21.
To achieve the optimum deterrent effect, I propose that this
Bill should pass through all stages at today's sitting. We are now
in the midst of the season when conditions are favourable for
Vietnamese refugees to set off in their boats for Hong Kong. It is
urgent that word gets back to Vietnam at once that those who come will
be greeted by closed camps.
22.
The saga of the Boat People and Hong Kong's role has passed
through a number of chapters. I believe this Bill provides the right
response at this time. I hope events will prove me right. In any case,
we shall be ready to respond to any new developments and meet them in
the same way we have done in the past by discharging our international
responsibility. We look to others to do the same and assist countries
of first asylum so they can once again deploy all their energies in
meeting the needs of their own people.
Sir, I beg to move.
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