TNAG-0897-FCO40-1107-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 115

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

Telephone 01- 233 3988

1700

100

1

Mrs M R Mullin

103 Childwall Road

Wavertree

Liverpool L156UR

Your reference

#KK 243/bur reference

RELIVED IN REGISTRY MO. 20 September 1979

Date

20 SEPT9

INDEX

по

Эта

I have been asked to reply Prime Minister.

to your letter of 10 August to the

I can well understand the concern which your kind offer reflects. There are, however, two points which I should like to make which may throw some light on the replies which you have already received from the Ockendon Venture and various other organisations.

Contrary to what one might expect, there have been very few orphans among the refugees Leaving Vietnam, or orphaned by shipwreck, priacy, or illness on the sea journey. Few refugee children arriving in Hong Kong can be regarded as totally unaccompanied since virtually all are under the care of some relative, however distant. The concept of the extended family makes this more readily understandable than it might be in some parts of the world. Thus, most Vietnamese refugees who are found homes in Britain will be members of family units.

A second point to bear in mind is that adoption in all countries is subject to very stringent controls and in countries of first asylum for refugees it is an even more difficult matter. As in any country, the legitimate claims of parents and family, and the interests of the orphans themselves, must be our first responsibility. Even with the few apparently unaccompanied children arriving in Hong Kong the difficulties of proving the fate (or, if they are alive, the whereabouts) of their parents would be very great. Their parents, or other close family, might be alive in camps in other countries, or still in Vietnam, or on the high seas. Investigations (in which the Vietnamese authorities would not necessarily co-operate) would be laborious and lengthy, and not necessarily conclusive. Foster parents might find themselves confronted one day with long lost natural parents or other close family.

I trust that you will not regard this as too negative a response to your letter. We are grateful for your concern but also glad

/that SO