TNAG-1425-FCO40-1908-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 161

(CLIVE SOLEY ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

Multi-fibre Arrangement

9 MAY 1985

resenting them again confirmed their commitment to : full application of the normal rules and principles of ATT to textiles and clothing.

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade set out the >vernment's view of what our initial stance in the gotiations should be. I have already referred to the ATT round, in which context we believe these matters ould be considered and tackled. But first we must gotiate MFA 4. We accept that some quotas should go d that others should be increased significantly. The tails will receive careful analysis/later, but one portant factor should be the extent to which industrial ers of products subject to quota are inhibited by current ota levels from taking full advantage of their ternational competitiveness and expanding accordingly. hat will help the consumer too.

As for the exporting countries, we want to be especially beral towards the poorest and those which accept their ATT obligations, but much less so to the better-off eveloping countries unless and/until they recognise their ɔligations to open up their markets. The Community ust arrive at a common view on the MFA and GATT. he matter must then be negotiated with the other gnatories. We are only at the beginning of the process. he MFA does not expire until July 1986. The bilateral greements that the Community have negotiated need to e renegotiated by the end of 1986. We intend to keep the louse informed of major developments in the negotiations s they progress. We shall also keep closely in touch with e textile and clothing industries and all other interested arties.

Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd

(Morecambe and Lunesdale): I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.

Motion, by leqve, withdrawn.

STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS, &c.

WEIGHTS And Measures

Motion made, and Question put forthwith pursuant to Standing Order No. 79(5) (Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments, &c.)

That the draft Weights and Measures (Liquid Fuel carried by Road Tanker) Order 1985, which was laid before this House on 22nd April, be approved.—[Mr. Lennox-Boyd.]

Question agreed to.

MKK 243/5.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

1 5 MAY 1985

DESK CH

INDEX

✓

REGISTRY

Action Taken

ск

Miss Thi Minh Bui

Miss Thi Minh Bui

par 243/5

992

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Lennox-Boyd.]

10 pm

Mr. Clive Soley (Hammersmith): I wish to draw the attention of the House to an important and moving human problem because Britain and the Government can help many refugees in Hong Kong and other areas. I shall give some of my time to my hon. Friend the Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke). The hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Best) asked to be associated with the debate, but for good reasons, I am sure, he is unable to attend.

The question relates to the reunification of families of Vietnamese origin in the camps in Hong Kong and other parts of south-east Asia. The case came to my attention because two sisters, Miss Thi Nga Bui and Miss Thi Minh Bui, aged 23 and 19 respectively, live in my constituency. They arrived in the United Kingdom in 1981.

I recognise that no country, and certainly not Britain, which has a relatively small land space, can solve all the refugee problems of the world. However, we have a duty to act where we have particular responsibilities and if we can do something important both for humanity and to persuade other countries to act. I am supported in that view by a recent Select Committee report, from which I shall quote generously.

The two sisters left Vietnam, were picked up by a British freighter and taken to Brunei. From there they came to the United Kingdom. Their father, mother, three brothers and one sister--the children are aged 20, 18, 10 and eight respectively-left Vietnam about a year later and sailed directly to Hong Kong, where they were admitted to a closed camp.

Hon. Members without exception are disturbed by the existence of the closed camps. We recognise the pressures that there were on Hong Kong in 1979 and 1980 when 200,000 refugees left Vietnam. However, none of us can be anything but deeply disturbed by the camps. People in those camps cannot leave them, or go out to work. They rely on money sent to them by relatives and friends overseas and they own little or no property. My hon. Friend visited the camps more recently than I did, and he may wish to add to that.

We hear a great deal about the importance of family life, and we all accept that it is important. It is especially important to Vietnamese families, who are extremely close and rely greatly on each other for support. We should remember that we are a signatory to the Helsinki final act. Although it does not apply throughout the world, the spirit of it is what counts. If our commitment to it is true, we should allow the principles on which we signed it to guide us on family matters.

Until May 1981 families were reunited, but the policy was changed and brought into line with general refugee policy. The Select Committee and others, including myself contend that that is unjust and unnecessary. It is generally accepted that verbal undertakings were given, although perhaps not by Government officials, that members of families would be reunited.

Mr. Barber, who is the director of the British Refugee Council, said this when he gave evidence to the Select Committee:

"In seeking to fill the quota, I think there is no doubt . that from the voluntary agency side.

efforts were made to

511

!

/155