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conference.
The growth in the budget inevitably brings with it an increased preoccupation about the greatest possible efficiency of expenditure. I would like to emphasise the importance which my Government attaches to the recommendations which the auditors have made concerning the 1978 accounts. I am confident that the office will take steps to improve those procedures which have been found to be unsatisfactory or inadequate.
The Work of the Voluntary Agencies
The Executive Committee is composed of representatives of governments. But we are under no misapprehension about the extent of the help given to refugees by non- official bodies and public spirited individuals. My Government greatly admire the excellent work done for refugees by the voluntary agencies. The British agencies have always been unsparing in their efforts, never more so than at the present difficult time. I am glad that our Standing Conference on Refugees is represented at this meeting and I would like to congratulate all its members on their efforts.
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"Boat People"
The scale of the refugee problem afflicting the world is appalling. It would be hard in a speech of this nature to do justice to all its aspects. But I should like to say a few words on the tragedy of the Vietnamese "boat people". I wish to lay great emphasis on a principle which appears to be being eroded the principle that countries of first scheduled ports of call for ships, which have picked up refugees at sea, should allow those refugees to land, if necessary after receiving guarantees of resettlement.
My Government are very grateful for all the effort
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