CONFIDENTIAL
with the intake of other European countries with the except
of France, which has taken a large number of refugees (this
not surprising in view of her close association with that p
of the world). On 17 January, the Home Secretary announced
his decision to admit a further 1,500 Vietnamese boat
refugees (1,000 from Hong Kong and 250 each from Malaysia a
Thailand). Their arrival would be phased over a period of
12-15 months: the first groups have already arrived in the
UK. Mr Rees suggested, and the Prime Minister has agreed,
that any further quota of Indo-Chinese refugee admissions to
the United Kingdom would require discussion by Ministers
collectively before a decision could be taken.
15 In addition to this quota, the Government have made a
commitment to accept ultimate responsibility for all
refugees rescued at see (by UK registered vessels) who
cannot be resettled elsewhere.
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Dd 0532000 400 M
HMSQ Breskensil.