TNAG-0891-FCO40-1101-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 19

1191

From The Minister of State

Peter

Blaker MP

1143

Sean Bob,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

HKK 2 it'

London

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

33 3 WR RAH

25 June 1979

PA

872476.

In my reply of 11 June (Col 92) to your written question about Vietnamese refugees I said that Hong Kong had accepted 9,200 former residents of Vietnam for permanent settlement since 1975.

This figure was based on information provided by the Hong Kong Government. They subsequently reviewed their estimate and concluded that the true figure was nearer to 11,000. This was the figure

I quoted in my written reply to Patrick Wall on 13 June (Col 258).

I am sorry I had to give a different figure only two days after I answered your question. By the very nature of the problem, however, it is difficult for the Hong Kong Government to keep accurate statistics of those who arrived in Hong Kong illegally, or who came originally as visitors and then simply stayed on because the changed circumstances in Vietnam made it impossible for them to return. Having now carried out a new, detailed survey of their immigration statistics over the past 4 years, the Hong Kong Government realise that they originally underestimated the numbers in these categories by some 1,700.

I am sending a copy of this letter to Patrick Wall.

Yours micerely

Robert Parry Esq MP

House of Commons

LONDON SW1

cc: Parrick wall BG URD, NP