- 28.
"In November alone, a total of 2,155 VMs were repatriated (including voluntary and orderly repatriation), the highest monthly figure since repatriation began in 1989," he said.
"Should the current rate of repatriation continue, it should be possible to close all VM camps in the territory by mid 1997,"
Mr Bresnihan said that in view of the declining VM population, the authorities had decided to consolidate the remaining VMs in the High Island Detention Centre.
"The main camp in Whitehead will be closed down, leaving only the two voluntary repatriation centres, 267 Ex-China Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants, and possibly the security unit in the camp to provide temporary holding facilities for some VMs immediately prior to their repatriation under ORP," he said.
The Whitehead Detention Centre was first opened in January 1989 when the VM population in Hong Kong stood at about 11,000. When the VM population reached its height of nearly 60,000 in October 1991, the centre provided accommodation for about 25,000.
"The closure of the Whitehead Detention Centre is a watershed in the whole VM saga, signalling the beginning of the end of the problem," Mr Bresnihan said.
End
Campaign to promote public knowledge on film classifications
The Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) will step up publicity efforts to promote public knowledge of the film classification system in Hong Kong.
A spokesman for TELA said the campaign aimed to increase the awareness of the public and youngsters in particular of Cat. IIA[mc1] (Not Suitable for Children) and Cat. IIB (Not Suitable for Young Persons and Children) classifications and their significance in the choice of films.
Another objective of the exercise is to enhance a better understanding among parents of the film classification system and a greater awareness of their role in providing guidance for their children.
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