§ Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement about the date for closure of the Sopley refugee camp;
279Wif he has any further plans for the use of the Sopley refugee camp after it is finally closed;
how many refugees at the Sopley camp are awaiting resettlement.
§ Mr. RaisonOn 15 February 1982 there were 563 Vietnamese refugees in Sopley reception centre awaiting resettlement. Current rates of resettlement of refugees from reception centres, which depend upon the availability of resettlement housing, suggest that it will not be possible to close Sopley before the autumn.
The Home Office has no interest in Sopley beyond its use as a reception centre. Upon closure, it will be returned to the Ministry of Defence from whom it has been temporarily loaned.