§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking at national and international level to deal humanely with the Vietnamese boat people.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:The United Kingdom has made a very significant contribution to the Indo-Chinese refugee problem. At the international level the Government have contributed over £6 million so far this year to the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, of which £1.5 million has been specifically earmarked for his programme in Indo-China. Financial assistance has also been provided for voluntary agency activities in support of refugees in South-East Asia. The United Kingdom will be represented at an international conference about the Indo-Chinese refugee problem to be called later this month by the United Nations high commissioner for refugees.
At the national level we have made it clear that we are prepared to accept for settlement any refugees in distress on the high seas picked up by ships registered in the United Kingdom and not accepted elsewhere. In addition, any cases of refugees wishing to come here are considered sympathetically if ties with this country can be shown, and there are no numerical limitations for these categories. Since the changes of Government in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in 1975, we have accepted for entry, or allowed to remain in the United Kingdom, over 1,300 refugees from Indo-China.
The Government are also giving financial assistance to the British Council for 818W Aid to Refugees to help the voluntary organisations concerned deal with the reception and resettlement of Indo-Chinese refugees admitted to the United Kingdom.