:
D
from Malaysia and Thailand).
Mr John's Frivate Secretary has sent an interim reply. If the Home Office could take a favourable decision on this in time for the UK delegate to announce it to the UNHCR Conference, not only would this be a useful contribution to
a solution to the general problem (taken together with the Government's open-ended commitment to accept a responsibility for refugees rescued by UK registered vessels); it would at the same time clearly be of help to Hong Kong and would no doubt earn us some
credit at the Conference.
RECOMMENDATION
8.
I recommend that:
(a)
the UK delegation to the UNHCR Conference should be led
by Sir James Murray;
(b) Mr Luard write to Mr Brynmor John on the lines of the
attached draft, urging a decision be taken on the
admission of a further 500 or 600 "boat refugees" in time
for this to be announced at the Conference.
22 November 1978
Сс
Mr Murray
Mr Figg
SEAD
K&GD
FED
MVD
MK O Simpson-Orlebar UN Department