HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -2 November 1988
香港立法局 ———————一九八八年十一月二日
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voluntary agencies and those in the private sector who have offered to assist us. I hope that this co-operation will continue because it will help the refugees, the United Nations and the Government to overcome many of the problems which we are facing. The success of these programmes will enhance the resettlement prospects of refugees and help them to become more productive and useful members of the community while awaiting resettlement.
劉皇發議員問:在協助難民適應營外生活的問題上,當局提供教育性和輔導性的服務後,若有難 民不守紀律和不合作,當局會否採取懲罰措施?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, if they are not following the rules which Mr. LAU has mentioned among the law breaking, then, of course, this will be taken up in the proper way by the police. If it is something less than breaking the law but there is a clear need for further education or counselling services these will be provided by the voluntary agencies and/or the Government.
MR. TAI: Sir, in view of the numerous potential problems faced by the public, the Vietnamese refugees and the Government in respect of the implementation of the open camp policy, will Government inform this Council whether it will consider implementing the open camp policy at a slower pace to ensure smooth adaptation and adjustment by the parties concerned? Would the Government release more details to the public relating to the arrangement of the open camp policy to dispel fear and that the open camp policy equates total liberalization? And will Government also consider inviting constructive suggestion to improve the overall situation and to tackle anticipated problems that may arise?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, according to the statement of understanding reached between the Hong Kong Government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Hong Kong Government agrees to start an immediate and progressive opening of the closed centres. It is envisaged that this process will be substantially completed within six months from the date of signing the statement which was on the 20 September. The Government intends to adopt a flexible approach, taking into consideration the different circumstances of each camp and the possible impact on the local community. To achieve this, working groups have been set up to advise the Administration on the appropriate programme of liberalization for individual camps. However, if the problems become apparent, the timetable will be adjusted accordingly. Sir, I hope that the answer to the question about the slower process of liberalization is that it will be adjusted according to need. As to the second part of the question, the provision of more details to the public of open camp policy, I have, to som extent, answered that already this afternoon but it is