HC Deb 12 June 1991 vol 192 cc559-60W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of voluntary repatriation of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong; what resources have been provided by Her Majesty's Government for the care and screening of asylum-seekers; and what discussions he has had with the Governments of Thailand and Malaysia concerning treatment of Vietnamese boat people.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As of 6 June 1991, 7,088 Vietnamese migrants had volunteered to return to Vietnam from Hong Kong. Just under 500 volunteers were awaiting repatriation, less than 1 per cent. of the total camp population. Since 1989, Her Majesty's Government have spent £34.891 million either directly or via UNHCR on the care and screening of Vietnamese asylum seekers.

On discussion with the Malaysian and Thai Governments, I refer the hon. Member to the recent joint declaration of the EC/ASEAN ministerial meeting held in Luxembourg on 30–31 May 1991, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong have been resettled in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Hong Kong, outside the detention centres, (c) other EC countries, (d) other Commonwealth countries and (e) the United States of America.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In the period 1979–1990 a total of 13,703 refugees were resettled in the United Kingdom; 126 in Hong Kong; 6,988 in other EC countries; 32,240 in other Commonwealth countries and 63,650 in the United States of America.