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*S/O Letter
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AID TO REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM
Thank you for your minute of 13 May
I am agreeable in principle to some contribution from aid funds towards the cost of the refugees who are at present stranded in Hong Kong. I presume that this is a temporary problem and I note that vigorous efforts are being made to find a permanent home for them elsewhere. Since we do not know the cost of their temporary support in Hong Kong, it is not easy for me to offer a specific sum and I would not wish to make more than a contribution towards the total. cost. I am content therefore that our officials should be in touch with the Governor about the cost of relief and subject to information about this I would be prepared initially to contribute up to £20,000. If the refugees had to stay for some time, we might need to look at this
again.
When I announced the £1 million of relief in Parliament I said it would be available for humanitarian needs in Vietnam and Cambodia. I propose therefore that this assis- tance to Hong Kong should come not from this £1 million but from the separate fund for Disasters Relief.
I recognise that there is a more general problem of resettlement of the refugees. I understand that your Office is preparing a general paper about the problems of Indo China; this will no doubt include the question of resettlement and
(124419) Dd. $69598 500M 8/69 Hw.