LEGISLATORS will be asked today to approve a further $15 million to provide help for Vietnamese boat people returning home.
This is on top of the non-recurrent commitment of $10 million the Finance Committee endorsed last year as part of the international effort for repatriated boat people.
The Government proposed to increase the funding in the anticipation that the balance of $2.45 million would be exhausted by the end of this month. It said it was also expecting more applications for funding of small-scale projects.
In a paper submitted to members, the Government said it believed it would be in Hongkong's interests to contribute a further $15 million to the reintegration programme after consultation with the British Ambassador in Hanoi.
The decision was in the light of the co-operation achieved with the Vietnamese Government in the repatriation of non-refugees from the territory, the success and the effect of the assistance scheme, and the fact that a gradual reduction in camp population had reduced the financial burden in running the camps.