XN000022-1991-01-28 — Page 4

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MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1991

AS A RESULT, THEY WILL ENJOY MORE OPEN SPACE AND

ABLN TO ENGAGE IN A WIDER RANGE OF HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES, BUCK AS FARMING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THAN 18 THE CASE IN OTHER CENTRES.

THE PURPOSE-BUILT FACILITIES INCLUDE FAMILY DORMITORIES WITH DINING HALLS, TWO LARGE KITCHENS, A SCHOOL, A 24-HOUR SICK BAY AND CLINIC, SPORTS ARBAS AND ACCOMMODATION FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES. THE CENTRE IS SELF-CONTAINED WITH ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLIES AND A SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM.

THE CENTRE WILL BE MANAGED BY A NON-PROFIT-MAKING AGENCY, HONG KONG HOUSING SERVICES FOR REFUGEES, UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE POLICE.

THE AGENCY WILL HAVE A GOOD DEAL OF AUTONOMY IN INTRODUCING A NEW AND MORE LIBERAL APPROACH IN RUNNING THE CENTRE WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE THEMSELVES THROUGH CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES AS WELL AS THEIR DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE OPERATION OF THE CENTRE.

THE AGENCY WILL CARRY OUT ITS TASK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.

"THE AGENCIES WILL BE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AT TAI A CHAU, WHERE THEY WILL HAVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND SCOPE IN ORGANISING EDUCATION AND SOCIAL PROGRAMMES AND ARRANGING WORK AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES," MR LEEKS SAID.

THE CENTRE WAS BUILT AT A COST OF $230 MILLION, FUNDED ON A 50-50 BASIS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UK GOVERNMENT, ΤΟ ACCOMMODATE UP TO 10,000 PEOPLE.

MR LEEKS SAID ABOUT 8,000 BOAT PEOPLE WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO TAI A CHAU FROM HIGH ISLAND, SEK KONG, ARGYLE AND WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRES.

A PLAN FOR FURTHER RESHUFFLES AMONG THE CENTRES WILL BE DRAWN UP WHEN THE TRANSFERS ARE WELL UNDERWAY, AND THE TIMING AND SIZE WILL DEPEND ON THE OVERALL SITUATION THEN PREVAILING HAVING REGARD TO THE DEMAND FOR AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SPACE.

"WE HAD ENVISAGED THAT THE OPENING OF THE NEW CENTRE AT TAI A CHAU WOULD ALLOW US TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION AND OVERCROWDEDNESS AT SOME CENTRES, AND CLOSE OTHERS," MR LERKS SAID.

"IN VIEW OF THE RECENT RATE OF ARRIVALS, THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS IN DETENTION CENTRES AND THE LIMITED FLOW OF VOLUNTEERS RETURNING TO VIETNAM, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO DO THIS AS QUICKLY AS WE HAD HOPED," HE POINTED OUT.

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