TNAG-1854-FCO40-2629-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 172

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11 January 1989

香港立法局 ————————一九八九年一月十一日

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MR. PETER WONG: Sir, does the Government believe that the introduction of foreign labour in Hong Kong would contribute to inflation?

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Sir, I do not think that it would contribute to inflation. But you yourself, Sir, expressed our policy in relation to the importation of foreign labour in your opening address, and I have nothing further to add. What you said, Sir, remains our policy.

Written answers to questions

Withdrawal of voluntary repatriation applications

9. 潘志輝議員問:鑑於最近有些原先自願遣返的越南船民提出撤銷遣返的要求,請政府告知本 局:

(i) 該等船民撤銷遣返要求的原因;

() 該等船民申請撤銷遣返越南,是否會嚴重打擊遣返船民的計劃及引致更多船民拒絕返回越

南;政府有何方法解決這些問題;

(n) 第一批船民可在何時遣返越南;及

(iv) 實施遣返計劃的進展如何?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, the applications for repatriation to Vietnam made by boat people arriving after 16 June 1988 have all been voluntary and applicants have not been questioned as to their reasons for wishing to return. Nor have those who change their minds been required to explain their reasons for doing so. We thus have no reliable information as to why some applications have been withdrawn.

Since 16 June 1988 we have received a total of 464 applications for voluntary repatriation. Of this total 179 (38.6%) have subsequently sought to withdraw their applications. Thus 285 applications (61.4%) remain operative, and are currently being processed. The UNHCR is responsible for the repatriation of these volunteers to Vietnam, and has recently concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the principles and procedures of voluntary repatriation. The UNHCR has recently launched an international appeal for US$577,000 to pay for the repatriation of some 500 Vietnamese boat people, of which around 300 seem likely to come from Hong Kong. On the basis of current planning we hope that a start on repatriations will be made towards the end of this month or in February.