E.R.
accommodation at our disposal. It is important for the
refugees themselves that they should not have to live for any longer than they really have to in the crowded conditions in Hong Kong; and it is important for Hong Kong itself that its
Government should be relieved of this additional strain on its
resources. A critical factor, however, is the time refugees
spond in reception centres once they are here. When the refugees
arrive in this country it is vital to their ability to adjust to
our scocity that they should spond as short a time in these
reception contres as is consistent with the need for some
initial orientation and basic language training. It would be
extremely damaging to the morale of the refugees were they to
spend excessive periods in reception centres, and the Government
would not want the refugees coming here to be exposed to that
risk. Everything depends, therefore, on the spoed at which
refugees can be moved from reception centres into permanent accommodation. The Joint Committee has agreed, I understand," that about 3 months is the right period for a refugee to spond
in a reception contro. If this can be achieved or bettered in
practice it ought to be possible to take in the remaining refugees before the end of this year. He must do our very best
/to achieve this,
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