SECRET
Refugees
8. Finally, we discussed the problems which could arise if substantial numbers of refugees from the fighting in Vietnam arrive in the Colony over the next few weeks. It is difficult to say at this stage whether this contingency will arise and, if so, what numbers would be involved but there is a risk of anything up to 10,000 finding their way to Hong Kong. Clearly it would be impossible, on humanitarian grounds, to turn them away. Equally, to allow them to settle permanently in the Colony would throw considerable strain on the Colony's social services besides creating difficulties for the maintenance of the policy of KK18/25 refusing entry to China's illegal immigrants which has been Flags B&6
working so successfully since December. As the attached telegrams show, the Hong Kong Government has given the matter a good deal of thought and I consider that the line they propose is sustainable provided it is made clear that any refugees arriving from Vietnam (or for that matter from Khmer, although this is a remoter contingency) will be kept in transit until homes can be found for them in third countries; and provided that in all public statements on the subject Hong Kong make clear the distinction between these refugees from a war and illegal immigrants arriving from China who come to make a better life for themselves in the Colony. After discussion with the Governor, I authorised the despatch of a telegram to Hong Kong endorsing the plans which have been made to meet this contingency.
Death Penalty
There is no sign that public pressure in Hong Kong for the implementation of death sentences is diminishing and the matter has recently been discussed again in the Executive Council. At this meeting the Governor contrived a compromise which will enable any Council Memher to abstain from giving advice in a case where he feels the law should take its course. This will enable the Governor to continue to commute all death sentences without risking further pressure from the Council to have the death
- 4. SECRET
/penalty