(650)
107%
CUHKK.243/1
RECEIVED IN REGKTAY NO. 51
MR SIMPSON-ORLEBAR'S MINUTE OF MAY ON INDO-CHINA REFUGEES.
PS/Mr Blaker
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
TRY #.
Action Təxan
M
1.211.5
The Cathairi
Kun J11.5 PA
1: There are two essential points.
(a) We cannot give any commitments on finance or on uplift of
refugees at this early stage. Any commitment to take more
refugees may in any case have to be related to general
immigration policy.
(b) Our primary and overriding concern is to ensure that Hong Kong
has access in principle to the Island.
Consequently, HM Ambassador in Jakarta will have to keep a low profile except on Hong Kong. In fact, I doubt if he will be under much pressure to offer a further quota for refugees. There is general understanding around the world, including the ASEAN countries, that we are currently committed to absorb other categories of immigrants who have hitherto had first priority. figure for 1977 (the latest year available) for the global total of persons accepted for settlement in the UK - including dependents, UK passport holders, entry on marriage, fiancés, etc, - was 69,330 (of these, 23,976 came from the Sub-Continent).
T
The
2
2. I have substantially recast the draft telegram but see no need to re-clear it with the Home Office or ODA.
1
10 May 1979
CC
PS/PUS
Sir A Parsons
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Leahy...
Mr Simpson-Orlebar SEAD
HKGD
MVD
News Dept
CONFIDENTIAL
DF Murray
1