TNAG-0884-FCO40-1094-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 45

so far maintained, but it cannot be expected to accept for

permanent residence refugees from Vietnam other than those who

have close family connections with Hong Kong.

To help relieve the acute accommodation problems which UNHCR

faces, Hong Kong have offered to hand over the Kai Tak North Camp

(6,000) not later than 1 June. However, by about 7 May additional

places will become available in existing UNHCR camps. Hong Kong

would like the new accommodation to be occupied by refugees at

present in Government accommodation (including women and children

for whom they have only been able to find room in prisons) and,

generally speaking, in order of arrival. But many of those who

have been waiting longest have come via China and are not at

present acceptable to the UNHCR's local representatives.

UNITED KINGDOM PERMANENT MISSION

GENEVA

3 May 1979

-3-

Page 45Page 46