§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Vietnamese refugees remain in the closed camps in Hong Kong, and when they expect that these camps will be abolished, following resettlement of their inmates.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)On 4th November there were 6,372 Vietnamese refugees in closed centres in Hong Kong.
The closed centres have always been regarded as a temporary measure. But under present circumstances their abolition would undoubtedly lead to an even greater influx into Hong Kong of people from Vietnam, which would place an even greater strain on Hong Kong. The need for these camps will remain until durable solutions have been found to the Vietnamese refugee problem. We are intensifying our effect to achieve such solutions.