TNAG-0971-FCO40-1190-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1980 — Page 90

Reporter:

3

Raison: Yes, I am not sure of the exact figures but I think that we have the

capacity to cope with the kind of flow that no have been serving and

that we expect to see » We have been very concern as far as possible to

make sure that things go through very efficiently and we like to think

that when they go to the initial reception caps we are able to provide

the education which is highly necessary. And I think one is bound to

as everybody would have agreed here as well as in the United Kingdom

that education is of absolutely crucial importance to effective

resettlement, and I think it is true that it does take quite a lot

in time for the average person whether they are Vietnames or Chinese

to get an effective grasp of the English language and there's no doubt

that as one of the problems. We try to run the thing in a well

organised way.

Reporter: As the receptions contres full?

Raison: Well, they are broadly speaking therefore, I meant people come in and

go out, they may not literally be full as it were to every bed, but

broadly speaking the reception centres are working just about to capacity.

Reporter: Is Britain feking more refugees?

Raison: Well, obviously this is a matter we should be thinking about, and as

you know I have been coming here to find out the position, and I have

certainly learnt of the very considerable problems that face Hong Kong.

We have made no decision as yet about that because it'll be a little

while as I have told you already before the present quota is taken up.

Reporter:

Raison: Well, it's not, I am afraid, for me to make an initial decision, when I

go back to the United Kingdom I shall report back to the Home Secretary

and the Government and I shall report on the position that I have found

here.

Reporter: What will you report?

Raison: Well, as I have said already I have been very impressed by the way

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