§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals the Government have for receiving into the United Kingdom more refugees from Vietnam; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:The Government have decided that, as part of the wider international effort to cope with the problems caused in South East Asia by the continuing out-flow of refugees from Vietnam, and in response to appeals by the United Nations High Commissioner for 762W Refugees, they will admit to this country over the next 12–15 months a further 1,500 Vietnamese former "boat" refugees. These refugees will be in addition to any who are already admitted under existing policy. Of the 1,500 refugees, 1,000 will come from those already in Hong Kong awaiting resettlement and the remainder in equal proportions from those in similar situations in Malaysia and Thailand. Arrangements for their reception and resettlement will be the responsibility of the voluntary refugee organisations co-ordinated by the British Council for Aid to Refugees—to whom 763W the Government will be giving appropriate financial and practical assistance—in consultation with the other interests concerned. The Government are very grateful to the voluntary refugee organisations for their willingness to help.