The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe QC MP Foreign and Commonwealth Office King Charles Street
London SW1
BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL
Bondway House 3/9 Bondway London SW8 ISJ Telephone ()1-582 6922. Cahles BREFCON LONDON SW8
January 1989
Dear Sir Geoffrey
Thank you for your letter of 5 October concerning refugees from Vietnam in Hong Kong.
BRC and its member agencies which participate in the Asia Committee heard with interest Timothy Eggar's announcement in the House on 22 December. I understand the British Government is prepared, in principle, to accept 1,000 more Vietnamese from Hong Kong, provided other resettlement countries follow suit.
BRC feels strongly that in selecting more for resettlement in Britain, the refugees in Hong Kong should not experience any discrimination as a result of their long stay in Hong Kong, or absence of strong family links elsewhere, single-person status, ill-health and so on. Rather, selection should be undertaken on the basis of real need.
Once selected, we feel a proper programme of preparation is needed in Hong Kong prior to resettlement in Britain. This should incorporate English language tuition and cultural orientation for readjustment to life outside an institution and for assessment of needs in the UK. Together with an improved reception service in this country, the refugees will be able to achieve successful self-sufficiency more quickly.
These suggestions are based on many years of experience with refugees from Vietnam, both in Hong Kong and in Britain, and incorporate lessons learnt from that experience. We do hope the Government will be able to endorse them.
Yours sincerely
Lord Ennals
Chairman Lord Chin.s
Vice Chairman Sir Lesi!-- KR.dey CBE
Vize Chairman and Honorary Tamer H A Shaw OBE
Director Maran Bizim