A ne putem panent S
709
Hong Kong
Government Office
香港政府駐英辦事處
17 June 1986
Our Ref: VR/BRC/PA
Mr Ken Woodhouse
Principal Assistant Secretary for Security
Security Branch
Government Secretariat
Lower Albert Road
Hong Kong
HKIC 243/3
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 0 JUN 1986
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
Dear Ken
Meeting of Asia Committee British Refugee Council
I attended the BRC Asia Committee Meeting this morning for the discussion of the Oxfam Report on "How Hong Kong Cares for Vietnamese Refugees.
Roger Newton of Oxfam UK explained that Oxfam Hong Kong is separate from his organisation and if this report were to be compiled by the UK Branch, certain comments would not have been adopted, eg the reference to the fact that lack of resettlement prospects is the most effective deterrent. He also suggested that HKG should take up the possibility for repatriation with the Vietnamese Government.
I mentioned that the Oxfam Report has received more favourable coverage in Hong Kong than the Refugee Action one because it was produced by local residents who have appreciated and made more allowance for Hong Kong's difficulties. As regards repatriation, I explained, in the presence of a FCO official, that it is the responsibility of HMG to look after Hong Kong Government's interests and there are other implications that the FCO has to consider on this issue.
-Stapler
The meeting also felt that improvements should be made to education opportunities, limited family space, the change of management from CSD to SWD and making five year as a maximum period of stay in a closed centre for any Vietnamese refugee. A suggestion was also made that unaccompanied elders should be allowed to move out of closed centres so that they could be looked after separately as a group.
Nash
.../2
& Crafton Street. London. W1X 31R
Telephone: 01-499.9821
Tolox: 284014
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.