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8. The Home Office proposed that any 'small boat-people" picked up by
UK registered ships should take precedence and that the flow of the 1,500
should be held back whilst the boat people were absorbed. The voluntary
organisations could not be expected to cope with a sudden large influx.
FCO agreed. However there could be difficulty if a UK registered ship
joined the trade in refugees. If the first port of call refused to
accept them it would be difficult to maintain the distinction from "small
boat refugees" and the UK might be obliged to accept them. Efforts could
be made to phase their entry into the UK by arranging for them to be
retained temporarily in South East Asia, but this might not be possible.
9. The Home Office thought it was probably not necessary to discuss the
current proposal in the Official Committee on Community Relations and
Immigration. However, if the UK's commitments led to refugees entering
the country in such numbers that the Voluntary organisations were not able
to cope it would be necessary for the Committee to discuss the appropriate
action and submit proposals to Ministers collectively.
Conclusions
10. Treasury officials would consider whether to bring the proposal to the
notice of Treasury Ministers informing them that officials saw no objection
to the proposal on the understanding that the costs could be absorbed
within existing Home Office provision, but indicating the possible implications
for the contingency reserve:
a.
from the open-ended commitment to accept "small boat-people"
picked up by UK registered ships and the potential pressures
from the exodus in large trading vessels encouraged by
Vietnam Government,
b.
the
should voluntary organisations be unable or unwilling
to assist with reception and resettlement.
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