RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
PASSAGE FOR USE BY MR EGGAR IN PARLIAMENT ON 22 DECEMBER
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.
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.
In addition the Government are
We believe that the time has now come for a major international effort to tackle this residual problem, and that we should take a
lead in this. We shall continue our existing resettlement programme until it is completed. ready in principle to take a further 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. This would involve doubling the rate of resettlement to 40 a month: taken together the existing programme and the new programme would extend over some 2-3 years. 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 intend to enter into immediate consultations with the other resettlement Governments and United Nations High Commissioner for refugees. We shall emphasise our view that this new resettlement commitment must be part of a wider international effort, and that we look to other Governments to match what we intend to do by taking