RICTED
布政司署
香港下亞畢道
2. NOV 1974
本署檔號 OUR REF.:
CR 22/2091/74 I
362
COLONIAL SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
22 November, 1974
**YOUR REF.:
HINCLY/S
Copy to My Astley, sex
SEAD
R&R
BH Dinwiddy Esq
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department F CO
Por 26/1
Mr Films, to res
SEAD
takiy actin
pare?.
336
PA
น
27/11
(355)
C.S. 41A
Dear Bruce,
SOUTH VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
I am sorry that through an oversight we have not answered your telegram No. 948 of 1 November about the 118 before now. Some delay was caused by our need to find out the facts from the Director of Immigration.
2.
Collard now realises that it would have been better if the Political Adviser's office and you had been kept more directly in the picture over his correspondence with Martin Ennals. In fairness, however, he has pointed out that there was nothing in any of the letters which was not already known to us and Collard thought that there was no harm in being straight forward and reasonable.
3.
You asked if we could comment on the prospects of success for the group of 14 if, after serving their respective sentences, they submit proper applications to enter Hong Kong. The short answer is that we cannot assess accurately, on the basis of the largely unsubstantiated information made available to the immigration people at the time the 119 arrived and in the absence of fully completed visa applications, the strength of any claim to enter Hong Kong. The Director of Immigration could hazard a guess in some cases (including the group of "possibles" already notified to Saigon) but I hope you will understand the danger of doing this when we are not in possession of the full facts. However, it might be helpful for you to know that the Director of Immigration will give priority of consideration to visa applications submitted by any members of the original group of 119.
4.
Collard has said that you will be kept in the picture in respect of any further direct approaches to Hong Kong from Amnesty. He is retiring from the public service at the end of this month but we shall do our best to impress on the new Director what the situation is.
CC
A D Brighty Esq
Saigon
Your
wver -
هنا
ì
hartz lo
=(and Alaw Amal Garch Voday's bay)
(A E Donald)
ED