§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of 395W Vietnamese refugees admitted for settlement in the United Kingdom (a) from Hong Kong and (b) from other areas in each of the past five years; and whether he has any proposals to increase these numbers.
§ Mr. RentonThe number of south-east Asian refugees accepted for settlement in the United Kingdom in the years 1983 to 1987, as published in table 18 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom 1987" (Cm. 415) was:
Number 1983 1,220 1984 800 1985 530 1986 830 1987 440 In the first six months of 1988 the figure was 300. A breakdown of these figures between those from Hong Kong and those from other areas is not available.
My right hon. Friend has received proposals that we should admit a greater number of south-east Asian refugees from Hong Kong. These proposals are being considered.