TNAG-1524-FCO40-2088-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 3

125 to the remaining resettlement countries.

This gives a total of 1,250 additional resettlement places in 1986. In 1984 approximately 3,700 refugees

refugees were resettled from Hong Kong. Based on these figures and taking account of the increase resulting from HMG's initiative, it is estimated that there will be 3,750 + 1,250 = 5,000 refugees resettled in 1986, a 33% increase. It must be emphasised that the extra places are a forecast based on indications and promises. They are not firm commitments. Equally, there is no guarantee that the base figure of 3,750 resettlement places will be repeated in 1986 or even that it will be maintained after 1986. Nevertheless, it is thought reasonable to assume that 5,000 refugees will leave Hong Kong during 1986.

The implications of additional

resettlement cases

7

In 1985 the number of refugees arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam reduced by 50% to 1,100, further clear evidence of the success of our closed centre policy.

8

=

There were 400 births to refugees in Hong Kong during 1985. Taken together with the number of arrivals there was overall increase of 1,500 in our refugee population during the year. If this figure were to be repeated in 1986 and if the rate of resettlement increased as expected in response to HMG's initiative then the net reduction in Hong Kong's refugee population would be 5,000 - 1,500

1,500 3,500. In other words at the end of 1986, given the present rate of arrivals and the

birth rate present

and with 33% increase in resettlement resulting from HMG's decision to accept family reunion cases from Hong Kong, our refugee population should reduce from its present figure of 9,450 to about 6,000. The implications of this reduction for open and closed centres are assessed separately.

9

Open Centres. In June 1985 the Hong Kong Government sought the assistance of the resettlement countries, through the UNHCR, in resettling refugees who had been in Open Centres in Hong Kong for а long time. Realistic objectives were proposed which would enable -

(a) the

reduced;

open

centre

refugee population

to

be

CONFIDENTIAL