Lord Winstanleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take the necessary steps to enable the Vietnamese refugees accommodated in Ministry of Defence premises on Thorney Island to make active and productive use of Ministry of Defence buildings on the island which are at present unused and empty.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)In October 1979 the site of Thorney Island was transferred on loan to the Home Office for two years for use as a reception centre for Vietnamese refugees. The Home Office has already brought into use all the buildings required for that purpose. During the coining months the refugees temporarily resident at Thorney Island will be reduced from about 700 to none. On 18th October the site will revert to the Ministry of Defence, who intend it for use by the Army.