2
int
a very good idea and in particular it meets the major
Ivalid criticism of the closed centres which is that
children are being brought up in these centres completely
divorced from normal life. If these children can go to
Hong Kong schools then they will experience life in a
highly sophisticated society. This will obviously be
as
to their advantage not only individuals but also in terms
of their prospects of resettlement. But I am afraid it is
not that easy in practical terms. We have been considering
all the various angles to it and we hope to be able to
put proposals to the Executive Council shortly.
As I
Now, Sir, as regards work opportunities.
informed the Legislative Council ad hoc group on 10 October,
their suggestions are being considered by a working group
established by the United Nations High Commission for
Refugees. On the whole our previous efforts to attract
local manufacturers to provide work opportunities to
Vietnamese refugees in the closed centres have not been
particularly successful, largely because of the location of
these centres. But refugees are undertaking piece work
relevant to a number of industries on a paid basis and
they are doing this now.
Examples of the sort of industries
which they are working in are tailoring, knitting, assembling
toys and assembling electronic equipment.
Question put and
agreed
to.