TNAG-0883-FCO40-1093-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 4

(b) areas being developed for early use for the

implementation of Government programmes should not generally be used though where some postponement of the programme seems feasible and not unduly damaging it should not be ruled out;

(c) other areas including areas for future land sales

(e. g. part of Kai Tak) may have to be used, and

(d) accommodation which may be available should not

be allocated to refugees where it is of a standard substantially higher than that used by the Government for temporary housing areas.

Use of Ships

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Consideration has been given to using ships for detention purposes. The principal objection is the inherent risks of fire and typhoons. No way of overcoming this has been found. Annex B deals with this issue in greater detail.

Existing camps and facilities

13

All existing camps and similar facilities have been examined. Taking account of other possible commitments (including a very large influx of illegal immigrants from China) it has been concluded that with the exception of some small camps and areas which would lead to the dispersal of refugees and thus increase administration problems, and hold only relatively few refugees no other existing camps or buildings are suitable.

Proposed Refugee Accommodation

14

In selecting possible sites for camps we have been guided

by the following:

(a) the accessibility to water and electricity;

(b) road access;

(c) reasonably flat land;

(d) reasonable drainage;

(e) the site should not involve substantial clearance or

acquisition proceedings;

(f) the site should, as far as possible, not have been

earmarked for public purposes or for Government programmes as it seems a less objectionable

CONFIDENTIAL