6.
5
4.
INDO CHINESE REFUGEES continued.
b) Vietnamese Refugees in the UK
In 1976, the Home Secretary had agreed to accept 151 Vietnamese refugees. In the end only 35 arrived.
In November 1976 the Home Secretary agreed that the balance of 116 could be accepted from the boat people.
This would include the group of 21 who had been rescued by a British boat and given temporary asylum in Japan on the guarantee of HMG that permanent settlement would be offered in the UK after three months.
The first group would arrive in England shortly and would be looked after by some of the voluntary agencies.
c) Other Matters
i) Publicity
The Secretary had followed up two BBC programmes on Indo China and Thailand.
1) BBC TV TONIGHT Film on Cambodian Refugees.
She had written to John Timpson to tell him of the interest of the Standing Conference. He had expressed willingness to produce another programme on refugees when appropriate.
2) BBC Radio 4
A talk about Indo-Chinese refugees in Thailand by a journalist on the Far East Review based in Paris, Mlle. Enard, who had later come to see her.
ii) Membership of the Asia Committee
Mr. Philip Goodhart MP, who was Chairman of the All Party Committee in the House of Commons on Indo Chinese
efugees had asked to join the Committee.
This was agreed.
TIBETANS IN INDIA AND NEPAL
a) Tibetans suffering from Tuberculosis
UNHCR Project
Wings of Friendship had given £100 for the Tibetans with Tuberculosis. This meant a total contribution of £1,000 from Wings for Tibetans in 1976.
Hr. Heidler agreed to find out how much was still required for the UNHCR's scheme.
b) Miss Pearce had heard from one of her former students Tashi Wangi who was now in charge of the Tibetan office in New Delhi. He would have an understanding of the needs and would provide a Lood means of communication. She thought it would still be possible to raise money for the TB scheme although there were many other urgent needs.
c) Tibetans in Nepal
Col. McKay had visited the representative of the Dalai Lama and had asked about the position in Nepal. Those not resettled in the restricted areas in the north did not wish to move from the high ground. The Nepalese Government was trying to provide suitable land for farming in the Pokhyla area.
Date of Next Meeting
To be left to the call of the officers.
7 February 1977