- 4
shortage, Correctional Services staff still being "prisons" personnel and "social" contacts amongst single males in a closed camp being reminiscent of conditions in concentration camps. His view was also coloured by Stephanie Williams' article in The Times of 25.11.83 where she had described Hong Kong's closed camps as follows
12.
"The refugees are free to move about
within the fences, but are only allowed out in working parties under guard to sweep the road, cut grass, to collect
rations from the jetty or, if seriously ill,
to go to hospital on Hongkong island....
"All parcels and letters coming into
the centre are opened and searched for weapons and drugs; outgoing mail is checked..."
It should be noted that both Lord Ennals and Sir Arthur Peterson came, readily, to the defence of HKG. As for me, I sought the Oxfam Coordinator out for a further chat after the meeting and I have since written to him, giving further background material to our adoption of a hard-line policy towards Vietnamese arrivals after 2nd July 1982.
13.
I fear that this has been a long and rambling note but it seems to me necessary to give you the full flood of sympathy and support from Lord Ennals and Martin Barber after their visits; and also a flavour of some of the worries still in the 'minds of a few out here.
14.
15.
Now for a couple of final points :
(a)
There is talk of a Channel 4 or perhaps BBC 50-minute film production entitled "Lantao" on Hong Kong's Vietnamese refugees, to be screened in January. We are checking this with our TV contacts and, if true, will ensure a recording.
(b) Lord Ennals thought it useful if members could
also view the two-part award-winning feature
by RTHK on Hong Kong's predicament with Vietnamese arrivals; this, particularly to "balance" the Channel 4/BBC? production. This will be examined further in our office.
The leaflet "Hong Kong: No Exit for the Boat People?" was distributed in committee with the suggestion that
more copies would be available on request. (Incidentally, is this leaflet available also in Chinese? and in Vietnamese? My memo in VR/MISC dated 11.10.83 refers.)
Kabup
Helen CP Lai YU
for Commissioner
HCPLY/jf