CONFIDENTIAL
£1 million set aside for Vietnamese war relief is so far
unallocated and in my view there are very strong grounds for
making some contribution to help Hong Kong with the task.
Hong Kong is used to natural disasters of one kind or another
but it would be most unreasonable to expect the Government of
the Colony, which has no responsibility in the matter, to carry
the burden of this human problem alone.
More generally, in the wider context, I believe it would
be practically useful to be prepared to contribute to an
international effort to help with the resettlement of the
refugees. To do so would be acceptable on humanitarian
grounds; but might also relieve pressure on the U.K. to absorb
greater numbers than are manageable.
I am copying this to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary and to Sir John Hunt.
CONFIDENTIAL
1:52.
(JAMES CALLAGHAN)
13 May 1975