(e) Vietnamese refugees
92.
Despite the establishment of closed centres in July
1982, refugees have continued to arrive here from Vietnam. The
number of arrivals has fallen: 3,900 in the twelve months to
September 1983 as
as compared with 8,220 in the previous twelve
months. But so too have the numbers leaving for resettlement:
3,844 as against 10,155 over the same two periods. On the first of October this year there were 13,462 in camps here as
compared with 12,700 a year ago. So, far from being resolved,
the problem has become rather worse, and we must reluctantly
continue to operate the closed centres. Without this form of
deterrent, the numbers arriving here
here might well have been
markedly higher. We shall also continue strongly
continue strongly to support
the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees to persuade other Governments to accept more refugees
for resettlement, and to take
own initiatives to this end
whenever opportunities arise. But I see no quick or easy solution to this intractable problem.
93.
(£) Correctional Services
duties admirably, often
The Correctional Services Department has taken on the difficult task of administering the closed centres. They have
performed their
in trying
circumstances. The Government was confident that the
Correctional Services Department was equipped to carry out this
new and onerous role, and experience has proved that
proved that trust to
have been well-placed.
94.
The population in our correctional institutions is
growing, in part because of the increasing number of long-term
prisoners. To cope with these increased numbers, more
correctional institutions are being provided and new schemes
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