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ources of the Government of Hong Kong. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has asked us to
accept a further 10,000 refugees from Indo-China for settlement here. We have agreed. Because of our
direct concern for the situation in Hong Kong, these extra refugees will be taken over a period to be agreed with the Govenor
from Hong Kong, where there are already
over 66,000 awaiting resettlement. My Right Hon Friend the Home Secretary is getting in touch with the voluntary
which
agencies have played such a commendable role in helping with the resettlement of the refugees who have already arrived in the United Kingdom. I would like
this, to take
opportunity of recording again the Government's gratitude to the voluntary agencies for the splendid work
they are doing in this field.
The Government also propose, subject to parliamentary
approval, to make a further £5 million available from the overseas aid programme for dealing with the refugee
:
problem in South-East Asia over the next 12 months. Be
My right hon and noble Friend will himself attend the opening session of the Secretary-General's meeting in
Geneva on
I can assure honourable
20 July.
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Members that we shall play a full and constructive role
in Geneva.
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