TNAG-1277-FCO40-1627-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 73

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has given asylum to all refugees on small boats. But the number

indeed it was almost 800 more at 13606 at

in Hong Kong grows:

the end of August this year than it was 12 months ago.

Perhaps

Sir,

more disturbing, a third have been there for more than three

years and no less than a quarter for more than four years.

Hong Kong continues to look after the largest number of boat

people in the region and I ask that those responsible for

drawing up national settlement programmes give priority to

these people who have waited much longer than others in the area.

CONCLUSION

20. The UK is deeply concerned about refugee problems. We look

to UNHCR, as an intermediary of good will, to continue to play a

leading part in finding practical solutions. We consider UNHCR

an example of how an international humanitarian organisation should

function. We strongly support UNHCR and its aim to work for

durable solutions. There are of necessity constraints on our

ability to help financially and we shall therefore always have

to look carefully at UNHCR programmes with a view to maximising

their cost-effectiveness. In this our interests coincide completely

with those of the High Commissioner, the countries of asylum and

the refugees.

21. We congratulate the High Commissioner on another year of

excellent work by his office. We also pay particular tribute to

the countries of asylum, especially those represented here, for

the burdens they shoulder to receive and accommodate large numbers

of refugees. And my last word goes to paying public tribute to

the work of the voluntary agencies in this field, who are also

represented in this room. Without their flexibility, dedication

and hard work, the rest of us could not function.

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