TNAG-1417-FCO40-1900-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 56

(£)

DOES THE FCO REALLY BELIEVE THAT CLOSED CAMPS HAVE A

DETERRENT EFFECT?

Closed centres introduced July 1982. In 1981, before the start of the policy, Hong Kong arrivals increased by 25% over 1980 levels, whereas those for the region as a whole increased

by only 5%. In 1982, Hong Kong arrivals went down by only

In 1983 however, 7%, compared with a regional decline of 41%.

e

were

by which time the closed centre policy was well established and widly known about in Vietnam, Hong Kong arrivals 53% less than those for 1982, compared with a regional

decline of 36%. In 1984 the Hong Kong decrease was 39%,

and that for the region only 11%. Not absolute proof but

suggests policy is having some effect.

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