a foothold from which the rest of the family can be drawn in. If they have no genuine claim to refugee status, they will be returned to their parents: the practice of sending the children alone out of Vietnam carries high risks for the child and is something we would wish to discourage. Ultimately, we hope that all people who wish to leave Vietnam will choose to do so by means of the Orderly Departure Programme, rather than by making the journey to Hong Kong.
I hope it will reassure you to know that much thought has been put into arrangements for unaccompanied children among the boat people. Children will not be sent back to Vietnam unless they have a family to return to; and the right solution will be carefully sought in all cases, in the best interests of the children themselves. We will be monitoring closely the work of the UNHCR Committee.
Mrs Helen Murray 38 Wellington Hill Horfield
BRISTOL
BS7 8SR
ছ
The Rt Hon William Waldegrave
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