VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
CONFIDENTIAL
5.
Much sympathy in the UK for Hong Kong's predicament
and admiration for the efficient way they have coped with
this very difficult problem. What is needed is a credible
resettlement programme. The British Government have made
We are
a major effort to get other countries to relieve the
pressure on Hong Kong by taking more refugees.
considering what more Britain can do in the context of the
conference which the Prime Minister has asked Dr Waldheim to
convene.
POSSIBLE CHANGES IN BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW
6. Fully understand the concern felt in Hong Kong over
the 1977 Green Paper proposal to create a separate category
of British Overseas Citizen. The Governor spoke to Home
No decisions yet
Office Ministers when he was in London.
taken and Hong Kong's views will be carefully considered.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
7. This is due to be debated in the British Parliament
fairly soon. Difficult to consider position in Hong Kong
in advance of that debate, but well aware that the subject
arouses strong feelings in Hong Kong.
HONG KONG'S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE EEC
8. Not an expert on this subject. The EEC's textile
agreement with Hong Kong preserved Hong Kong's position as
a major supplier to the European market. Your
dissatisfaction with these arrangements has been made very
/clear
CONFIDENTIAL
2.