TNAG-1788-FCO40-2548-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 122

Background to the Proposal

Tollowing the government's announcement of the introduction of screening procedures in Hong Kong, various agencies working with refugees from Vietnam and bodies representing refugees from Vietnam in the UK met together. These were Refugee Action, Ockenden Venture, Save the Children Fund, Vietnam Refugee National Council and National Indo-China Association. The aim of these meetings was:

1.

In the light of the numbers of refugees from Vietnam in Hong Kong, to make recommendations to the government to accept more refugees for settlement in the UK.

2. To agree a plan for the implementation and management of any new resettlement programme, ensuring that lessons are learnt from previous reception and resettlement experience.

The proposal outlined below was drawn up as a result of these meetings and has the full backing of all the organisations mentioned.

Current Situation in the UK

The reception and resettlement of refugees from Vietnam currently arriving in the UK is carried out by Refugee Action and the Ockenden Venture. A small number of "private sponsor" arrivals go straight to their relatives without support from the agencies. Refugee Action runs the current Home Office - funded Vietnamese programme, focusing on community development.

Refugees are accepted for resettlement in the UK under the programme from Hong Kong announced in 1987; under the Orderly Departure Scheme from Vietnam; through boat rescue; and as family reunions from elsewhere in South East Asia. Total numbers arriving from Hong Kong this year have averaged at approximately 20 per month.

The Proposal

1 Numbers

We recommend that the UK continues the programme of resettlement from Fong Kong at a rate of 60 refugees from Vietnam per month for an initial period of 2 years, and that the programme of resettlement on family reunion grounds of Indochinese refugees from other parts of South East Asia should be continued. The rationale for choosing this number is:

* a significant increase in the current rate is needed to attract the commitment of other resettlement countries to accept increased numbers of refugees. As Britain clearly cannot accept all refugees from Vietnam, this lead is vital if resettlement opportunities are to be found.