XN000022-1983-05-11 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1983

HIGH COST OF MAINTAINING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

*****

MAINTAINING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ON THEIR PRESENT POPULATION LEVEL IS PROJECTED TO COST $114 MILLION FOR THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE SOME $20 MILLION TO THIS EXPENDITURE, MR JEAFFRESON SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN.

HE AGREED THAT THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES INVOLVED HIGH COST.

FROM DECEMBER 1978 TO JULY 2, 1982 WHEN CLOSED CENTRES WERE INTRODUCED, THE GOVERNMENT SPENT $272 MILLION ON MAINTAINING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WHILE THE UNHCR SPENT $113 MILLION AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES A FURTHER $42 MILLION, MR JEAFFRESON REPORTED.

FROM JULY 2, 1982 TO JANUARY 31 THIS YEAR. THE COST WAS $63 MILLION TO THE GOVERNMENT, $13 MILLION TO THE UNHCR AND $4 MILLION TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

UNRULY BEHAVIOUR ADDED TO THE PROBLEM OF LOOKING AFTER THE REFUGEES, HE SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE CLOSED CENTRE RULES, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF A CLOSED CENTRE MAY ORDER A DETAINEE WHO COMMITS ANY ACT AGAINST DISCIPLINE TO BE PUNISHED BY EITHER OR BOTH OF THE FOLLOWINGI

* SEPARATE CONFINEMENT FOR UP TO 28 DAYS.

* FORFEITURE OF THE LIMITED PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE, SUCH AS

ACCESS TO BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS AND SPORTING FACILITIES, FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS.

IN ADDITION, THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES TO TRANSFER A DETAINEE FROM ONE CLOSED CENTRE TO ANOTHER IN THE INTEREST OF LAW AND ORDER IN THE CENTRES, MR JEAFFRESON SAID.

HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT STEPPED UP ITS NORMAL SECURITY PRECAUTIONS IN THE CHI MA WAN AND HEI LING CHAU CLOSED CENTRES FOR A FEW DAYS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, INCLUDING APRIL 30, THE ANNIVERSARY DAY OF THE FALL OF SAIGON.

BUT HE NOTED THAT THE ANNIVERSARY PASSED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

/2