CONFIDENTIAL
WINTER SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
(b) Repatriation
Objectives
To limit discussion to financial aspects and to explain what the
funds are to be used for.
Essential Points
needed to prepare the ground for first repatriation by securing
funds on contingency basis.
[ defensive: fact that when we notified Parliament in July, answer was printed in wrong place in Hansard NOT deliberate.]
exact cost hard to quantify but based on UNHCR levels US$620 given to Vietnamese Government for: transport in Vietnam, vocational training and other costs associated with reintegration. Also cost of transport from Hong Kong and US$50 pocket money for returnees.
HMG currently meeting the US$620. Aim is to split costs 50/50
with HKG
£1.3M sufficient for about 4,000 returnees. Now expect this to be nearer £0.6M, for 1,600 returnees
EELAED
CONFIDENTIAL