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Meanwhile in co-operation with UNHCR and voluntary agencies the Hong Kong Government make every effort to ensure that the refugees' basic needs are met while they remain in camps: they are provided with shelter, food, medical treatment, clothing, education, welfare and training facilities. The Hong Kong Government have coped admirably with the task of giving temporary asylum to over 100,000 Vietnamese refugees since 1975. They have turned none away, and have themselves accepted some 14,500 Indo- Chinese for permanent settlement.
As the Times article mentioned by Mrs Meade states, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Hartling, praised the Hong Kong Government warmly for their efforts during his recent visit to Hong Kong. He commented that the Hong Kong authorities and the voluntary agencies were doing a very good job in caring for the refugees, for which he was very grateful.
I am copying our correspondence to David Waddington at the Home Office in case he wishes to comment further on the question of resettlement in this country and am returning your constituent's letter, a copy of which has been retained for our files.
Rules