§ Lord Trefgarneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the outcome of the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee set up by the 1989 International Conference on Indo-Chinese Refugees.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee created by the International Conference on Indo-Chinese refugees met in Geneva on 30th April-1st May. The joint United Kingdom and Hong Kong delegation drew attention to the worsening situation in the colony caused by a sharp increase in the number of Vietnamese migrants arriving in Hong Kong, coupled with a low number of departures. Copies of the final statement are being placed in the Library of the House. The statement reaffirms the strong commitment of participants to implement the Comprehensive Plan of Action of June 1989 in its entirety, and in particular that non-refugees are not eligible for resettlement and must return to their country of origin. The British Government fully support the Hong Kong Government's efforts to resolve this intractable problem through the full and balanced implementation of the Comprehensive Plan of Action. The British Government intend to consult urgently with the principal countries concerned over alternative and additional measures for accelerating the return of non-refugees to the country of origin, which remains crucial if an effective and durable solution to the problem is to be found.