TNAG-1427-FCO40-1910-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1986 — Page 15

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Attorney General proposes to extend the life of these provisions by another year. An Ad Hoc Group was formed under the convenership of the Hon Peter C WONG to consider the Government's proposal and we have come to the following conclusions

:

(1) That in the spirit of the Adjournment Debate on

the Vietnamese Refugee Problem in Hong Kong in this Council on 15 May 1985 after the publication of the Scorri Report in the UK, Hong Kong must remained resolved in stemming the flow of refugees and illegal immigrants into these territories;

(2)

Although these measures have to some extent placed the burden of proof of innocence on the defendants, such measures were effective and should continue to act as a strong deterrent to any ship-owner, crew, or their co-conspirator to carry or to arrange passages for refugees and illegal immigrants to Hong Kong; or to help them

stay.

Sir, the Unofficial Members of this Council wish to

make clear our strong support for the provisions of Part VIIA and Part VIIB. The problem of Vietnamese refugees and illegal immigration is still with us and we should not relax our efforts in prosecuting and punishing those who profit from transporting illegal "human cargoes".

I therefore support the motion.

0002S

!

Page 15Page 16

GRS 100

UNCLASSIFIED

FM SINGAPORE

TO ROUTINE HONG KONG

TELNO 29

OF 240710Z DECEMBER 85