TNAG-1221-FCO40-1531-Annual-address-by-Sir-Edward-Youde--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--t-1983 — Page 66

(e) Vietnamese refugees

92.

Despite the establishment of closed centres in July

1982, refugees have continued to arrive here from Vietnam. The

number of arrivals has fallen: 3,900 in the twelve months to

September 1983 as

as compared with 8,220 in the previous twelve

months. But so too have the numbers leaving for resettlement:

3,844 as against 10,155 over the same two periods. On the first of October this year there were 13,462 in camps here as

compared with 12,700 a year ago. So, far from being resolved,

the problem has become rather worse, and we must reluctantly

continue to operate the closed centres. Without this form of

deterrent, the numbers arriving here

here might well have been

markedly higher. We shall also continue strongly

continue strongly to support

the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees to persuade other Governments to accept more refugees

for resettlement, and to take

own initiatives to this end

whenever opportunities arise. But I see no quick or easy solution to this intractable problem.

93.

(£) Correctional Services

duties admirably, often

The Correctional Services Department has taken on the difficult task of administering the closed centres. They have

performed their

in trying

circumstances. The Government was confident that the

Correctional Services Department was equipped to carry out this

new and onerous role, and experience has proved that

proved that trust to

have been well-placed.

94.

The population in our correctional institutions is

growing, in part because of the increasing number of long-term

prisoners. To cope with these increased numbers, more

correctional institutions are being provided and new schemes

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/for