DRAFT ARRANGED QUESTION
MKD 243112
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ons
FILE
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department
if he will increase the United Kingdom's commitment to the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees from camps in Hong Kong.
DRAFT REPLY
150
This country has made a substantial contribution to efforts to relieve the problems caused by Vietnamese asylum seekers in South East Asia. We have admitted over 20,000 Vietnamese for settlement in the last ten years and are currently fulfilling a commitment made in May 1987 to take over two years 468 individuals from camps in Hong Kong who have relatives in the United Kingdom. We also contribute to the resettlement of boat people rescued at
sea.
interactiond
This year there has however been a marked increase in numbers of boat people arriving in Hong Kong. Most new arrivals no longer meet refugee criteria and their chances of resettlement are virtually non-existent. In June, with the support of Her Majesty's Government, the Hong Kong Goverment introduced a system of screening
to be monitored by UNHOR. new arrivals in accordance with GR Criterial. Representatives of the British and Hong Kong Governments have subsequently held negotiations with representatives of the Vietnamese Government about the return to Vietnam of those who are not refugees, subject to suitable arrangements to ensure their good treatment on return to
Vietnam.
Further increase in the numbers of refugees in Hong Kong requiring resettlement will be limited but there remain more than 15,000 in
We have
this category.
This is a major burden on Hong Kong. considered our resettlement commitment in the light of these
developments.