HC Deb 18 July 1984 vol 64 c247W
Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many unattended minors there are in closed refugee camps in Hong Kong; and if he will take their future up with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a special case.

Mr. Luce

There are 157 unaccompanied minors in closed refugee centres in Hong Kong. My right and learned Friend the Home Secretary has recently agreed to accept 25 unaccompanied children from refugee centres in Hong Kong, some of whom may be drawn from closed centres. We maintain regular contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees with the aim of finding resettlement places for all the Vietnamese refugees in centres in Hong Kong, including unaccompanied minors.

Sir Patrick Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current rate of resettlement of Vietnamese refugees from the closed camps in Hong Kong; and if he will make it his policy to set an example to other potential settler countries by accepting approximately 500 if other major countries agree to do the same.

Mr. Luce

So far this year, refugees from the closed centres in Hong Kong have been resettled at an average rate of 103 per month. The second part of the question is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.