§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese refugees in closed camps in Hong Kong claim to have spouses in open camps; what discussions he has had about the possibility of them being able to join one another; what action is proposed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonSixty Vietnamese refugees in open camps have claimed to have spouses in closed camps. Of these, 47 have joined their spouses in closed camps, five cases are pending and five have withdrawn their request to join their spouses. In the other three cases the couples left Hong Kong together for resettlement before reunion could take place.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to which other countries have decided to accept more Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong, indicating (i) the name of the country and (ii) the number of new Vietnamese refugees accepted.
§ Mr. RentonFollowing our decision to accept about 500 additional refugees from Hong Kong, we have approached over 20 countries in an effort to increase resettlement from the Hong Kong camps. We have been advised that, in addition to their previously-announced quotas, Australia will accept 200 more refugees, and Canada 50; and also that New Zealand will take 10 refugees from Hong Kong. Most other countries are still considering their responses and we remain in close touch with them.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current number of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong (i) in closed camps and (ii) in open camps.
§ Mr. RentonOn 14 February 4,809 refugees were in closed camps and 4,380 in open camps.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Hong Kong Government about Vietnamese refugees in closed camps; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWe and the Hong Kong Government remain in close touch on the Vietnamese refugees problem in Hong Kong. The need for the closed camp policy is kept under constant review. Neither we nor the Hong Kong Government wish to retain the closed camps for refugees any longer than is necessary.
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§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia about Vietnamese refugees in that country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonNone, but we keep in close touch with Indonesia and other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations on the problems of Indo-China generally. We are deeply concerned about the question of Vietnamese refugees in south-east Asia and attach particular priority to resettling those in camps in Hong Kong.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about statements made by the Chinese Government about the status of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong after 1997; and how many such refugees are expected still to be in camps at that date.
§ Mr. RentonI have no information about any such statement by the Government of the People's Republic of China. China has provided permanent asylum for some 265,000 refugees from Vietnam. This is an admirable record. It is our strong hope that no refugees will remain in Hong Kong in 1997.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency arrangements have been made with the Hong Kong Government in respect of Vietnamese still in refugee camps at the time of transfer of sovereignty in 1997; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonNone. It is our firm intention that the Vietnamese refugee problem in Hong Kong should be resolved well before 1997. In any event, the joint declaration on the future of Hong Kong provides for the continuation after 30 June 1997 of Hong Kong's present social and legal systems and so any refugees then in Hong Kong should retain their current status.