TNAG-0895-FCO40-1105-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 321

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The Indo-China

[18 JULI change those policies. Meanwhile, the urden which the flood of refugees is posing on others in the region can be relieved only by a major and genuinely international effort,

The Government have given very careful consideration to the extent of the humani- tarian problems, and in particular to the appalling burden which is being placed on the resources of the Government of Hong Kong. The United Nations High Com- missioner 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 Governor, from Hong Kong where there are already over 66,000 awaiting resettlement.

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is getting in touch with the voluntary agencies who have played such a commendable role in helping with the resettlement of the refugees who have already arrived in the United Kingdom. I should like to take this opportunity of recording again the Government's grati- tude to the voluntary agencies for the splendid work which 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. I shall myself attend the opening session of the Secretary- General's meeting in Geneva on 20th July. I can assure noble Lords that we shall play a full and constructive role in Geneva.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS: My Lords, I am sure the House will wish to thank the noble Lord, the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, for the State- ment he has just made. For our part we entirely agree with the purpose and content of that Statement; it is very much in line with what we believe, with the Govern- ment, to be the important facets of this appalling human tragedy which is unfor- tunately continuing in South-East Asia. We welcome very much the noble Lord's decision to be present at the opening session as the British Foreign Secretary in Geneva. When he has given the prestige of his own presence and office on our

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behalf at this important conference, at what level will the British representation at the conference continue?

We also join with him in our insistence that this Conference should tackle the source of this problem. It is, of course, necessary to do everything we can to alleviate the terrible human suffering which has been caused and is continuing in South-East Asia. At the same time, it is of the utmost importance that those who are the authors of this tragedy and, for all we know, intend to go on with this dreadful policy, should be brought to Geneva to the conference and be face to face not only with the condemnation of the world but constructive suggestions of countries like our own as to not only the alleviation of suffering but also the ending of the policy that causes that suffering. May I there- fore ask the noble Lord whether he has been informed by Dr. Waldheim, the convenor of this conference, that in fact the Vietnam Government will be repre- sented in Geneva? What other countries Vietnam be present there? will be present? But, specifically, will

We warmly welcome the decision to accept a further 10,000 refugees from Indo-China and the provision for further financial aid to help in this matter. No doubt that provision for financial aid will be reviewed as necessary over the months for which it is notionally intended. I can assure the Government that they will have every support from us in the measures which they deem, with the knowledge of the situation, to be necessary in order to pursue proper humanitarian policies in this area. Finally, I join with the noble Lord very warmly in expressing gratitude and admiration for the role which our

splendid voluntary agencies have already played in this matter and stand ready to continue with their excellent services; and perhaps I could couple with them the coolness and steadfast humanity shown by the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Murray Maclehose, throughout this time.

Lord AVEBURY: My Lords, on behalf of my noble friends I wish to thank the noble Lord for the Government's humane and generous attitude, which I believe is in no small measure due to the benign influence of the noble Lord, the Foreign Secretary, himself. With regard to the attendance at the conference, if the Viet-