GRS120
CYPHER CAT A
FM F C O 251700Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK
TO ROUTINE HONG KONG TEL NO 276 OF 5 APRIL
344/1
TR 1973
No
Yirl
JOHN MCORE MP (CONSERVATIVE CROYDON CENTRAL) TABLED A PQ FOR ANSWER ON 6 APRIL ASKING THE SECRETARY OF STATE: QUOTE IF IT IS THE POLICY CF HMG TO USE THE NAVY TO FORCIBLY REPATRIATE TO COMMUNIST CHINA REFUGEES ESCAPING TO HONG KONG UNQUOTE.
2. WE HAVE REPLIED: QUOTE NO. THE HONG KONG MARINE POLICE ARE SUPPORTED BY THE ROYAL NAVY IN A NUMBER OF TASKS INCLUDING
THE PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. BUT THE DECISION OF WHETHER TO REPATRIATE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS TAKEN BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
UNQUOTE.
3. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE GIVEN ONLY TWO HOURS NOTICE OF THIS QUESTION AND IT WAS NCT POSSIBLE TO CONSULT YOU IN ADVANCE.
OWEN
FILES
HK & GD FED
PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY
CONFIDENTIAL