suitable guarantees.
Believe mandatory repatriation more humane than indefinite
detention of people in camps.
CONDITIONS IN CAMPS
We and Hong Kong Government attach great importance to conditions in camps being as good as circumstances will allow.
Obviously massive in flux in past few months has strained resources to limit. But convinced that authorities are doing their very best under circumstances.
New centre for those awaiting screening (Whitehead Project)
will be ready in September.
Point.
HMG have donated £6 million for new refugee camp at Pillar
SCREENING TOO SLOW?
Hong Kong Government very conscious of need to speed up screening procedures. Urgently looking at how this might be done (eg through provision of more interpreters and other personnel, quicker appeal procedures etc.).
WHAT ABOUT A PUSH OFF POLICY FOR HONG KONG?
Extremely reluctant to contemplate this, even as last resort. Unacceptable international practice. Nor would it be practicable.
Determined to maintain
policy of first asylum. But if we are
to be sure of doing so, a comprehensive and durable solution must be found urgently: Hong Kong's patience is almost exhausted.