ANNEX
Vietnamese Boat People: Line to Take in Hong Kong
Q: What are HMG's views on the possible abandonment by Hong Kong of the first asylum policy and the introduction of scrrening on arrival?
A: I understand why OMELCO and the Hong Kong Government feel they need to review the existing policy and to consider whether it is still appropriate to treat all arrivals from Vietnam automatically as refugees. This is one matters I have been discussing with the Hong Kong Government during my visit. I will obviously need to report to colleagues on my return to London.
x: Of
the
Q:
Will HMG make a new resettlement commitment in
response to the influx of arrivals?
A: My visit has brought home to me personally the severity of the situation following the greatly increased numbers of refugees arriving here in the last few months. As I have said, I shall be speaking to my colleagues in London on my return. We shall want to look at all aspects of the problem. You will understand that, until we have done this, I cannot say more.
Q: Will HMG make an increased financial contribution to
help Hong Kong with its increased refugee burden?
A: The UK already makes a substantial contribution to
UNHCR funds. We will be discussing with UNHCR the allocation of resources to Hong Kong in order to deal with the scale of the problem.
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