3-
The Committee observes that the modest new intake
proposed 'would be a small price to pay for the reuniting of many families, the elimination of a great deal of human suffering and hopelessness, the resolution of a major problem
in a territory for which Britain is responsible, and, by
enabling the abolition of the closed camps, the removing of a
considerable stain on Britain's humanitarian reputation'.
(2)
The Vietnamese in Britain
Most of Britain's 19,000 Vietnamese have been settled here at least three years. Although many have been successful
in adapting, it is clear that Britain's Vietnamese face very
severe problems in areas such as employment and training, housing, and ability to speak English. When last investigated
(in 1981-82) their unemployment rate was over 80%. Their
difficulties, and the difficulty of helping them, are exacerbated by the policy of dispersal adopted at the time of resettlement. They are now tending to drift towards the main
centres of Vietnamese population, notably London and Birmingham, but this creates its own problems of homelessness
and overcrowding.
The general conclusion is that the task of resettling
the Vietnamese satisfactorily was a larger and longer one than
expected, and that government assistance has not adequately
reflected the new understanding of the magnitude of the task.
A clearer government determination to ensure that the problems
are dealt with would, the Committee believes, yield results.
Among the recommendations are the following:
A joint working group of Home Office, Manpower Services Commission and refugee agency
representatives to assess what assistance is needed
in respect of employment and training and to press for it to be provided.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.