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OVERCROWDING
One aspect of closed camp conditions which has attracted attention is overcrowding. Would like to go into this briefly because there may be some misunderstanding about the amount of space within the camps. Would not pretend they are spacious by European standards. But by Hong Kong standards they are not unreasonable: must be seen within context of general overcrowding in the territory, to which I referred earlier. Am pleased to say problem of overcrowding has been much relieved as result of opening of new Bowring camp in March this year.
Continuing decline in number of arrivals which we believe to be mainly due to closed camp policy, has also contributed to improved conditions.
Most crowded camp is that at Cape Collinson. British Refugee Council expressed concern about this camp. But prior to the opening of the new Bowring camp, it was the most popular of closed camps because of its access to recreational and educational facilities in
adjacent training centre. (HKG in fact received frequent applications from refugees at Chi Ma Wan and Hei Ling Chau to transfer there). However now that Bowring camp has provided additional capacity, Hong Kong Government are considering phasing out use of Cape Collinson. They propose to review accommodation in
all closed camps once they know extent of 1985 arrivals.
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