TNAG-0898-FCO40-1108-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 149

TISH COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

GATE: LONDON: SW1W 98L: TELEPHONE 01-730 9611

SAMA THON

EMBARGOED 0001 SUNDAY OCT. 14TH 1979

INDO-CHINESE REFUGKES

DIVISION OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

The Officers of the Council have authorised the following Statement:-

འ༔

2.

3.

4.

*

The British Council of Churches, disturbed by the slow progress of Her Majesty's Government in selecting, receiving and resettling in Britain the 1500 Indo- Chinese refugees promised in 1978, and the further 10,000 Indo-Chinese refugees promised in July 1979,

urges Her Majesty's Government:-

(a) to fulfil its 1978 commitment without any further delay by receiving all

1500 refugees in Britain within the next few weeks;

(b) to take necessary steps to ensure that in accordance with the commitment given in July 1979, these 10,000 refugees are in Britain by July 1st, 1980, at the latest.

To this end, the Council asks Her Majesty's Government:-

(a) to locate a selection team in Hong Kong for as long as the need remains;

(b) to facilitate the opening of more reception centres in Britain and the co- ordination of the work of these centres with voluntary support groups;

(c) to take more active steps with local authorities for the securing of housing.

In bringing the above needs to the attention of Her Majesty's Government, the Council has in mind not only the situation of the refugees in the camps, but that delay in accepting refugees for permanent resettlement in third countries is a major reason why some South East Asian countries have turned away new arrivals, or may feel compelled to do so.

The Council also asks Her Majesty's Government to bear especially in mind fears that the least skilled and families with handicapped or elderly members have least chance of being accepted for permanent resettlement.

*For example, 250 refugees selected in Malaysia in February 1979, were still there in mid-September, and of 1000 refugees in Hong Kong for whom places were promised in December 1978, at least half were not even selected until August, 1979.

END OF RELEASE