HL Deb 09 November 1978 vol 396 cc637-8WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What additional money is being granted to the British Council for Aid to Refugees to help resettle Vietnamese boat people picked up by British vessels.

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

The British Council for Aid to Refugees has been told that the extra costs necessarily incurred in the initial resettlment of the Vietnamese refugees picked up by the British ship "Wellpark" will be met by Her Majesty's Government and an initial payment of £30,000 has been made to the Council, pending the submission of detailed estimates. Separate consideration will be given to the need for assistance towards any further resettlement cost. The Government has also expressed a willingness in principle to consider proposals for assisting the resettlement of other small boat refugees from Vietnam and discussions with the Council about this are in hand.