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4.
Further Resettlement in the UK
We are very conscious of our responsibility to Hong Kong and are doing all we realistically can to help relieve the territory of its burden. Our decision last May to accept a further 468 Vietnamese from Hong Kong with relations here is a significant commitment,
So far over 200 have been given the pressures which we face. resettled under this programme. I have to say that at this stage our resettlement commitments have been extended as far as possible. Since 1975 we have accepted some 20,000 Indo-Chinese refugees for resettlement in this country. Over 13,000 of these have been
This is the third highest Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong.
number taken from Hong Kong, after the US and Canada. measure a substantial commitment to Hong Kong.
5. Rate of Intake into Britain
It is by any
The
The reception of refugees puts considerable demands on local resources, and it is our judgment that a flow of around 20 a month from Hong Kong is about right, given our stretched resources. voluntary agencies have an important role to play, and the government ensures that they receive adequate financial support.
6. Resettlement Elsewhere
I can
Our diplomatic campaign to secure further resettlement places for boat people from Hong Kong is a major priority. Some additional places have been offered as a result of our representations. assure the House that we will persist in our efforts to persuade resettlement countries to do more for Hong Kong.
7.
Major Resettlement Countries Taking Less?
These countries have made significant contribution to the resettlement of boat people.
;
We will
The USA have taken well over 60,000 since 1975, Canada nearly 20,000 and Australia about 6,000. continue to urge these countries to maintain their high levels of
offtake.
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