HC Deb 26 July 1982 vol 28 cc391-2W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in each of the past three years how many Vietnamese refugees have arrived in Hong Kong; how many of these have been given homes in other countries; and how many remain in camps in Hong Kong.

Mr. Rifkind

Arrivals from Vietnam in 1979, 1980 and 1981 were 68,748, 6,788 and 8,470 respectively. Resettlements from these years were 64,258, 6,085 and 7,041 respectively. In addition 5,735 in 1979, 4,385 in 1980 and 3,416 in 1981 arrived from China, where it is believed they had previously settled before coming to Hong Kong illegally. The number of refugees remaining in Hong Kong on 23 July was 11,837, of whom 487 were ex-China cases.

Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees to deal with the large number of Vietnamese refugees now under the care of the Hong Kong Government.

Mr. Rifkind

From the outset, the staff of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have worked in close co-operation with the Hong Kong Government to resettle Vietnamese refugees arriving in Hong Kong. Moreover, most refugees awaiting resettlement are accommodated in camps run by the UNHCR.

Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese refugees have been in Hong Kong camps for one year, two years and three years, respectively.

Mr. Rifkind

The numbers are as follows: 6,517 for one year, 4,785 for two years and 1,793 for three years.

Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the proposals to the house Vietnamese refugees in closed camps in Hong Kong are in full accord with the declarations on human rights to which the United Kingdom is a party.

Mr. Rifkind

The Hong Kong Government took account of the relevant international human rights instruments when preparing their proposed legislation in this field. Consideration is being given as to whether it may be desirable, in order to avoid any doubt, for certain amendments to be made.