§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is available to him through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees as to the number of refugees who have escaped from Vietnam by boat and who have died at sea as a consequence of the refusal of neighbouring countries to grant political asylum, and of the numbers still at sea and seeking asylum; and whether he will make a statement as to the extent to 448W which the United Nations High Commission for Refugees might be able to contribute to a solution of the problem.
§ Mr. LuardHer Majesty's Government believe that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has an important part to play in the solution of this tragic problem, in which he deserves the full support of the international community. The number of refugees who have perished at sea, or who may still be at sea, is unknown. At 31st March 1978, 26,964 are known to have reached the shores of South-East Asia. Of these, resettlement has been arranged for 20,238.