TNAG-1802-FCO40-2562-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 81

CONFIDENTIAL

RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

PASSAGE FOR USE BY MR EGGAR IN PARLIAMENT ON 22 DECEMBER

There are now something over 15,000 Vietnamese in Hong Kong who are recognised as refugees. Following the change of policy introduced on 16 June, they represent what is essentially a residual problem. of the more recent arrivals few seem likely to meet the established international criteria to be considered as refugees.

We have played a major part over the years in resettling Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong despite the heavy immigration pressures which we face from many other sources. We are deeply grateful to those other

governments who are continuing to make their own contribution by resettling substantial numbers from

Hong Kong.

We believe that the time has now come for a major international effort to tackle this residual problem, and

that we should take a lead in this. We shall continue

our existing resettlement programme until it is

completed. In addition the Government are ready in principle to take a further 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. This would involve doubling the rate of resettlement to 40 a month: taken together the existing programme and the new programme would extend over some

CONFIDENTIAL

/2-3 years