STATEMENT BY MR EGGAR IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON 22 DECEMBER
I now turn to the problem of the resettlement of those boat people in Hong Kong who enjoy refugee status. It is important that they find homes in the major resettlement countries as soon as
possible. In the meantime, as I have already indicated, the camps in which they are accommodated are being opened up and a new camp is
being built.
There are now something over 15,000 Vietnamese in Hong Kong who are recognised as refugees. Following the change of policy introduced on 16 June, they represent what is essentially a residual problem. Of the more recent arrivals few seem likely to meet the established international criteria to be considered as refugees and I have already given the House the screening figures.
We have played a major part over the years in resettling Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong despite the heavy immigration pressures which we face from many other sources. We are deeply grateful to those other Governments who are continuing to make their own contribution by resettling substantial numbers from Hong Kong.
We believe that the time has now come for a major international effort to tackle this residual problem. We are prepared in principle to contribute to that effort by taking a further 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong over two to three years, provided that others are prepared to contribute commensurately.
The 1,000 would include relatives of Vietnamese already here and others with the potential quickly to become self-sufficient in the United Kingdom, together with some who have been in the camps for a long time and have not yet been accepted elsewhere.
We shall do everything possible to ensure that additional refugees are resettled in a way that does not add to the very considerable pressure on housing resources in certain urban areas. My rt hon and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary will be considering with his rt hon Friend the Secretary of State