Remistry
N
DRAFT MINUTE
Type 1+
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
To:-
Home Secretary
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
FROM
SECRETARY OF STATE
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
1. Since my return from Jamaica and Washington, I have been considering the plight of the 4,600 Vietnamese refugees who have arrived in Hong Kong.
2. I am in touch with the American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Danish and Swedish Governments about the problem, drawing their attention to the very severe strain these refugees place on the Colony's social services, particularly bearing in mind that Hong Kong has to absorb about 36,000 legal immigrants from China a year, not to speak of those arriving illegally who escape the vigilance of the immigration authorities. I have read your statement in the House yesterday and am very grateful for your offer to admit a number of Vietnamese refugees with a connection or tie in this country.
3. I am sure that these conditions will be liberally interpreted. Doubtless you will bear in mind that
our ability to influence the Governments I have mentioned to take their share of the burden will depend to some extent on our own attitude to the problem.
4. I am copying this to the Prime Minister and Sir John Hunt.