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CLOSED CAMPS IN HONG KONG: THE OXFAM REPORT
Closed centre policy was introduced with the greatest
reluctance to avert a situation in which the level of new arrivals was rapidly becoming intolerable.
But the Hong Kong Government believe, and we agree, that these centres are a regrettable necessity.
Policy must necessarily have deterrent effect. Over the years, I believe that it has contributed to discouraging Vietnamese from setting out on the dangerous voyage to Hong Kong.
Since introduction of closed centre policy, some 2,000 Vietnamese arriving in Hong Kong waters have elected of their own free will to continue their voyage. Their boats are repaired and re-victualled at Hong Kong Government's own expense.
We remain convinced that ending policy now would result in even more leaving Vietnam. Would be an inevitable and tragic loss of
life.
Those who reached Hong Kong would place an enormous additional burden on Hong Kong's resources, which are already considerably stretched.
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We have received a copy of Oxfam's recent report on Hong Kong's closed centres. We will be studying the report very carefully.
Hong Kong Government and British Government attach great importance to ensuring that conditions in the centres are as humane as possible.
Centres are efficiently and humanely administered.
Conditions there are kept under constant review.
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