SECTION 5 SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
87. We have concentrated in this report on the lessons learnt from the handling of the Vietnamese programme up to this point and their relevance for any future major refugee intake; and on the work which remains to be done to assist the Vietnamese refugees to adapt to life in a strange country and to overcome, so far as is possible, the disadvantages from which they suffer. Before summarising these we think it right to emphasise again that this group of refugees is unique in its lack of contact with Western society, its ignorance of English language and customs, and in the absence of any
The problems of adaptation
established national group in this country. are, therefore, much more severe than with other ethnic groups, and the need for assistance will be prolonged.
Lessons from the Vietnamese Programme of relevance for any future Reception and Settlement Programme.
Central Organisation
88. The method of handling the Vietnamese programme through the Joint Committee for Refugees from Vietnam and with management responsibilities in the hands of the individual agencies provides a useful model for the future; we suggest some ways in which it might be improved (paragraphs 22 - 24).
Selection
89. We point to the importance of proper counselling of the refugees about life in the United Kingdom and to the need to make effective use of the information available from the selection interview. If the requirements of this phase are to be met then sufficient resources have to be devoted to it and the merits of a permanent UK presence in the particular country as opposed to occasional visits by selection teams, should be seriously considered (paragraphs 25 - 26).
Reception
90. Where organised reception is required we point to lessons which we have learnt about the size and regime of centres, health screening, language provision and the particular needs of unaccompanied minors (paragraphs 27 - 38).
Settlement
99. We describe the difficulties which have been experienced in finding housing for the Vietnamese in circumstances where no financial assistance was available to local authorities from central government. It meant that the policy of dispersed settlement which the Government advocated could not be achieved. This policy in any case paid insufficient attention to the needs of the Vietnamese in terms of education and employment, culturally and as refugees (paragraphs 39 - 45).
Future Policy Making
92. Overall the programme established the limits of what should be sought from the reception phase of any programme and the prime importance of a sound settlement policy which has regard to the needs of particular refugee intakes.
21.