16/05/89
16:28
O.D. A LONDON
NO. 012
006
that HMG will be expected to share the costs, the cost to HMG is likely to be in the region of £5-10 milion. This very rough estimate is based on the funds recently voted for the Whitehead project (Phases 3 and 4), whigh will provide emergency and detention centre accommodation for about 10,000 boat at the cost of E17
million.
It is more difficult to quantify the costs involved for commitments arising out of the ICIR. The cost of a Regional Holding Centre and an Overspill Centre would depend on their location and whether existing facilities were already available. If a Regional Holding Centre were set up in the context of the ICIR, the cost would be shared with the rest of the international community, although we would undoubtedly be expected to make a substantial contribution. But in the case of an Overspill Centre or a South China Holding Centre, both of which would principally benefit Hong Kong, the lion's share of the cost would fall to HKG and the HMG.
ра
[some
Some of these costs are likely to fall to the Diplomatic Wing since they would involve expenditure on accommodation for those awaiting screening and those screened out as non-refugees. But the costs of further accommodation for refugees either in Hong Kong or in an overspill Centre outside Hong Kong would mean a further call
on the ODA's already overstretched refugee funds.
A