§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made and what information he possesses concerning changes in the levels of employment and of remuneration following recent changes in economic organisation in Vietnam; and what assessment he has made of their consequential effects on illegal movements to Hong Kong.
§ Mr. MaudeThere are no reliable statistics on current levels of employment and wages in Vietnam. One of the short-term effects of economic reform in Vietnam is likely to be higher unemployment and cuts in real wages. Any changes in the Vietnamese economy will take time to affect clandestine movements of people to Hong Kong. In the longer term, sustained economic improvement, already evident in small businesses, services and rural areas, should begin to deter would-be emigrants.