TNAG-1418-FCO40-1901-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 176

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Many of those in Hong Kong's camps have close relatives in Britain whom they are not permitted to join. (The Committee gives examples, para. 13) These people will not usually be considered for resettlement by any other country, so will remain in refugee camps indefinitely unless admitted to

Britain.

The Committee regards Britain's general record on Vietnamese refugees as a good one: only five countries have resettled more. But the tiny number of Vietnamese Britain is currently accepting from Hong Kong (88 in 1984) is making it impossible to persuade other countries to increase their own resettlement totals, in view of Britain's responsibility for Hong Kong. The Committee concludes, on the basis of evidence received, that no substantial progress in emptying Hong Kong's camps can be made without a modest new intake of Vietnamese by Britain, and believes a British lead in this respect would be followed.

The Committee proposes that the new intake be linked to (i) negotiations with other countries to obtain offers of

additional resettlement places, and (ii) a relaxation of family reunion criteria for Vietnamese refugees in camps. The Committee regards the case for relaxing family reunion criteria as particularly strong. The number concerned among the existing refugee population would be unlikely to exceed 500.

The Committee recommends the abolition of Hong Kong's closed camps.