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We hope and believe that the success of these arrangements will
over time,serve to encourage other non-refugees in Hong Kong to opt
to return, particularly as it becomes clear that they will not be
subject to punishment, and as the inevitable logic of their
situation sinks in. We are convinced that a solution on these
lines is both realistic and humane: realistic, becuase there is no
practicable alternative; humane, because it is conditional on their
being no ill-treatment of those who go back. Indeed, we would not
repatriate a single boat person to Vietnam if we were not satisfied
that they would be properly treated on their return and would not be
punished.
D.
Resettlement
inhabitants
There remains the problem of the resettlement of those 16,000
boat people in Hong Kong who enjoy refugee status. It is important
that they find homes in the major resettlement countries as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the camps in which they are accommodated are being opened up and, the inmates are being given greater access to employment, training and educational opportunities. This is not
only desirable from a humanitarian point of view. The experience they gain in this way should enhance their resettlement prospects and equip them better to adapt to life in the West.
In the meantime our own resettlement programme is continuing. Since 1975 some 20,000 refugees from Indo-China have come to Britain of which 13,000 are Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong. I hope
that the House will not underestimate the extent of this effort: it
is an honourable and creditable record, particularly for a country such as Britain which is subject to considerable immigration
pressures from all over the world.
We will continue to take in boat people from Hong Kong under
our current resettlement programme, which is due to finish in May
We are working cementin at what 1989. A further commitment is under active consideration, taking
те сам маче These includ account of all the relevant factors, including the availability of adequate reception facilities, suitable housing, and perhaps most important of all the right sort of training to ensure that new
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