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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
(a) immediate emergency relief: we can expect
requests for direct assistance to Hong Kong (either
direct or channelled through UNHCR) to provide additional
emergency accommodation (tents, conversion of barracks
and other buildings into temporary accommodation for new
arrivals). In the very short term, the Hong Kong
Government may be able to squeeze the required funds out
of the money that has already been voted. But in due
course they will need to revert to Finance Committee,
with unpredictable results. In any case, there will be
strong humanitarian and political arguments for HMG to
respond quickly and sympathetically to appeals for
emergency relief, should the need arise.
in the
(b) additional permanent accommodation:
slightly longer term, it will be necessary to build
additional permanent accommodation (ie purpose-built
detention centres). One such centre (the Whitehead
project) is under construction at a cost of £13 million
and will come on stream in September. That will,
however, be insufficient if the arrival trend continues
at its present level. There is now a distinct
possibility that, if further detention centres are
required, HMG will have to meet part, if not all, the
costs. There will also be a need to find and train
additional staff to man such centres.
(c) additional staff resources to speed up the
screening and appeals procedure: all post 16 June 1988
arrivals must be screened in accordance with UNHCR