E ONLY IF HOUSING IS RAISED
Background
Housing for Vietnamese refugees may be raised especially since the policy of dispersal under the early days of the Vietnamese Programme is now regarded as
mistaken. As Mr Renton knows, the early Vietnamese arrivals were accommodated
throughout the United Kingdom as a result of many offers of accommodation by local authorities across the United Kingdom. This arrangement underestimated the significance of employment prospects and
and community support.
In
consequence isolated refugees moved to urban areas, especially London, where at least half of the Vietnamese are now thought to live. Future policy for any future commitment on a non family reunion basis needs further consideration involving colleagues in DOE.
Line to Take
The
Currently Vietnamese refugees arriving in the United Kingdom come on a family reunion basis and for the most part wish to live near their relatives. necessary accommodation arrangements are made by the voluntary agencies or relatives. Whilst the voluntary agencies have a number of small quotas of accommodation for refugees and can often persuade local authorities to accommodate relatives there is no special programme as such. Neither is there a policy of dispersal.
7.
There has been continuing complaints about the difficulties faced by Hong Kong travellers to Britain who hold British passports what assurances can you give that they won't experience these problems?
a)
b)
...
Lord Glenarthur has recently responded to complaints along these lines. I think the key points to make are:
Hong Kong people are very welcome as visitors but are subject to control. Over 114,000 visited from Hong Kong in the last 2 years but fewer than 450 were refused entry (less than one third of 1%).
No question of Hong Kong visitors being treated differently or singled out for especially close scrutiny.