3
14. In response to the Sub-Committee on Race Relations and Immigration (SCORRI) recommendations, Her Majesty's Government has agreed to accept approximately 500 family reunion cases from Hong Kong under relaxed criteria. Processing of these cases started in November 1985 and ended in September 1986. A total of 464 refugees were resettled in the United Kingdom. On 8 May, 1987 Her Majesty's Government announced a further offtake of 468 refugees from Hong Kong at a rate of about 20 per month phased over about 2 years. So far, 163 had been resettled under this programme.
Regional Arrivals, Departures and Population
15. On a regional basis, arrivals in 1987 have increased by 47% compared with 1986. In Hong Kong, thé number of arrivals has increased by 65%. The number resettled from Hong Kong by the end of 1987 was only 19% of the total of those here on 1 January 1987 together with those who arrived during the year. This is a much smaller proportion than those resettled from other major places of first asylum such as Indonesia (59%), Malaysia (47%) and Philippines (42%). At present, Hong Kong has the second highest boat refugee population in the region, with 9 532 (24%) out of a regional total of 39 295 as at 1 January 1988. A full statistical breakdown is set out in the following table.
Regional Arrivals and Resettlement of Boat Refugees from Vietnam
A
B
Refugee Population
Arrivals
at 1 Jan 87
Jan-December 87
Resettlement Jan-December 87 (as % A+B)
Hong Kong Malaysia
8 039
3 395
2 212 (19)
C
Refugee Population 1 January 1988 (as % of total)
9 532 (24)
9 044
8 287
8 181 (47)
9 120 (23)
Indonesia
3 849
1 672
3 242 (59)
2 453 (6)
Thailand
6 305
11 195
4 032 (23)
13 627 (35)
Philippines
2 715
2 677
2 271 (42)
3 219 (8)
Japan
830
139
478 (49)
515 (1.5)
Macau
620
3
121 (19)
518 (1.5)
Singapore
61
848
599 (66)
311 (1)
TOTAL:
31 463
28 216
21 136 (35)
39 295 (100)
:
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