TNAG-1419-FCO40-1902-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 124

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SCORRI REPORT: PASSAGE FOR INCLUSION IN WHITE PAPER

CLOSED CAMPS

RECOMMENDATION 2:

(i) Closed Camps should be abolished and their

inmates transferred to open camps

(ii)

If the Closed Camps are not abolished, the

FCO should put on record immediately the

circumstances in which i t would withdraw

its sanction from the closed camp policy

1.

HMG

have considered these recommendations

carefully in close consultation with the Hong Kong

Government. As Mr Luce made clear in his evidence to

the Sub-Committee, neither HMG nor the Hong Kong

Government regard it as satisfactory or desirable that

refugees should be confined to closed camps.

The

fully

present situation is far from ideal, and HMG

understand why it causes concern to the Sub-Committee.

HMG share that concern. However for the practical

reasons explained below, in present circumstances

see no alternative to continuing the policy.

HMG

REASON FOR INTRODUCTION OF POLICY

2.

camp s

The

policy of

report correctly states that "The closed

we re introduced in July 1982 as

"humane deterrence" to discourage other from coming to Hong Kong" (Para 20). The

Government and HMG felt that some kind of

was necessary

refugees were

because although the rate

arriving in Hong Kong had

Vietname se

Hong Kong

deterrent

at

which

stabilised

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