(a) the Hong Kong Government are considering proposals from UNHCR for integrating refugee children into the local education system and will put modified proposals to the Executive Council for decision in March;
(b) the Hong Kong Government also generally support the report of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Vocational Training in Employment, and will submit proposals to the Legislative Council ad hoc group and to the Executive Council shortly;
(c) the Hong Kong Government is also concerned at the level of overcrowding in Hei Ling Chau and at Tuen Mun. This is of course the result of increased arrivals and decreased departures since 1987. The Hong Kong Government are urgently planning the construction of a fourth closed centre, and the type of accommodation to be provided will provide for a greater degree of privacy and family life;
(d) the Hong Kong Government firmly believe that the Correctional Services Department are the appropriate department to manage the closed centres. It is the only organisation with the expertise and experience necessary to manage large numbers of people in a confined environment. The Hong Kong Government do not agree that any other department or voluntary agency have the necessary expertise for this difficult task.
(e) the Hong Kong Government considers that any arbitrary time-limit for stay in the closed centres would undermine the deterrent effect of the closed centre policy, which we believe has been instrumental in limiting the number of people prepared to embark on the dangerous voyage to Hong Kong.
On the question of resettlement, we have noted what the report says about our resettlement efforts. It is understandable that people in Hong Kong would like us to do more. However, I believe that our resettlement record since 1975 - almost 13,000 refugees from Hong Kong creditable one. At present we are taking some 20 refugees from Hong Kong per month.
In addition, the
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