CONFIDENTIAL
200
Mr Williams, ODM
RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT PRESENT IN HONG KONG
195
1.
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(169)
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I sent a copy of my submission of 10 June on this subject
to your then Minister's Private Secretary.
2.
While it is of some comfort to know that the number of
refugees will be reduced by about half over the next couple of months, it is a matter of concern to this Department that Hong Kong
will be continuing to bear the burden of the remainder for some time yet. It is a matter of some importance to the willingness of Hong Kong citizens to play their part that HMG should be helping to the maximum degree possible. We do not, however, want to run the risk of offering so much that potential recipient countries will feel relieved of the necessity to offer permanent homes; take on an open-ended commitment which would imply that the remaining refugees will be staying on in Hong Kong indefinitely. Mrs Hart's original offer of £20,000 met these criteria admirably. I am now seeking authority to offer a further £50,000 to help the Vietnamese in Hong Kong over the next two months.
3.
nor to
I should explain that while Hong Kong is well outside the class of dependent territories requiring aid in the normal sense, the present emergency, which was not of the Colony's making, is a totally unexpected situation and one in which we can be sure that the assistance given will be wisely and properly used for the benefit of war victims. I understand from Finance Department that £50,000 can be found from contingency funds.
44.
You will recall that in her minute to the Secretary of State of 29 May, about the original contribution of £20,000, Mrs Hart said that she was prepared to look at the matter again "if the refugees had to stay for some time": this, I fear, looks to be the case, at least so far as a proportion are concerned. I should add that there is a question down for written answer on
CONFIDENTIAL
/1 July