HL Deb 20 December 1989 vol 514 cc324-5WA
The Earl of Lauderdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which countries they have asked during the past year to help Hong Kong by sharing in the reception and settlement of either Vietnamese economic emigrants or political refugees, and which countries have agreed to do so; and

Whether they have approached the Australian government with a request to consider accommodating Vietnamese emigrants in the relatively unpopulated but climatically suitable Northern Territory; and if so, what was the response.

Lord Reay

At the Geneva International Conference in June, the international community pledged sufficient places to resettle all Vietnamese refugees in the South East Asian region, including Hong Kong. It was also agreed that those who were not refugees should return to their country of origin.