6.
7.
8.
9.
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11.
Viet hese in Britain (continued)
In its response to the Select Committee's comments on secondary migration and housing the Government accepts the need for better facilities for Vietnamese in as many cities as possible and for better services to those refugees who remain dispersed in remote parts of the country. However, the Government offers no practical help towards achieving these aims, except for an expansion of the refugee agencies' programme and of the BRC's Community Programme scheme.
The agencies stress that the local authorities which are expected to provide additional resources to the Vietnamese are themselves facing cuts which will make new local initiatives in many areas impossible.
The Select Committee proposed that a thorough study should be undertaken of practical ways to mitigate the consequences of the dispersal policy. While it admits that the policy was a failure, the Government has rejected the Select Committee's proposal and has also not offered any specific measures to support the Vietnamese and the refugee agencies in dealing with the consequences of dispersal.
Meanwhile secondary migration particularly to London is increasing at a consider- able pace creating many social and practical problems in the areas which refugees are moving into.
The BRC welcomes the Government's agreement to provide additional support for the programmes of the refugee agencies but is disappointed that the Government has not been willing to extend the application of Section 11 of the Local Government Act to benefit refugees in general and the Vietnamese in particular.
The BRC also welcomes the Government's acceptance of the importance of adequate provision in the area of mental health and are looking forward to close coopera- tion in developing programmes in this area in cooperation with the DHSS.
Asylum Procedures
The Government has rejected most of the Select Committee's specific proposals for the improvement of asylum procedures. The agencies are particularly disappointed that the right of appeal against negative decisions has still not been extended to all those who seek asylum.
The agencies are also disappointed that the Government does not feel it possible even to establish the working party proposed by the Select Committee to discuss its proposals for extending the right of appeal.
The agencies welcome the commitment made by the Government to reduce the length of time taken in dealing with asylum applications and are pleased that it is now the Home Office's intention that 75% of applications should be decided within six months.
Finally the BRC welcomes the Government's recognition that hardship may be caused to refugees by restricting the right to work during the period when their asylum applications are being considered. The agencies look forward to discussing with the Government practical measures which will enable asylum seekers to show prospective employers that they are indeed free to take up employment.
Additional Note
The BRC and its member agencies will be examining the Government's reply to the Select Committee in detail over the next two weeks and will be making a full response which they hope will stimulate a major debate in Parliament.
MB/AHA 27.9.85