ME
65
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE LONDON SWII 9NT
6 MAY 1983
НСК
243/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
17 MAY 1933
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
AF 17/5
I have already expressed to you my admiration for the achievements of the 'Joint Committee for Refugees from Vietnam and my gratitude to the Committee and to all those who have been concerned with the reception and resettlement of Vietnamese refugees in this country. In my letter of 22 December 1982, I undertook to reply to the recommendations in the Joint Committee's report to me once the necessary consultations within this Department, and with other Departments, had been completed. I am now
able to do this.
As you will recall, the report concentrates on two themes: the lessons of the programme which may be of future relevance and measures which might help with the problems still facing the Vietnamese in this country.
Lessons from the Vietnamese Reception and Settlement Programme Organisation
I was pleased to have the Joint Committee's views about the organisational arrangements that might be desirable if and when we have to cope with another large scale influx of refugees and, in particular, about the pros and cons of working through a central organisation like the Joint Committee. I have noted the suggestions about how the membership of such an organisation might be widened and strengthened.
I very much
agree with what the report says about the importance of partnership between the Government and voluntary bodies: this will again be vital in any future programme. Exactly how we respond, in terms of organisation, to any future intake would, of course, depend on the size, nature and circumstances of that intake and, as the report recognises, on the capacity of the voluntary bodies at the time. But we will, of course, take account of our experience with this programme and of the report's recommendations.
Selection process
I am sure the report is right about the importance of proper counselling for those who are coming here about life in this country. We have taken note of this point, and of the other points on the use of information obtained during selection interviews and the advantages of using a permanent selection team in any future large-scale contingency.
Reception arrangements
The agencies are to be congratulated on their achievements in the reception phase which, though it lasted longer than we would have wished, was nevertheless completed without problems of sickness or disorder. We have noted what the report has to say about the size and regime of reception centres. As regards health, to the extent
/that thera
Sir Arthur Feterson, KCB, MVO