From the Secretary of State
comparison with those taken by our partners in the West. Even if we were to accept not only those from the Sabonga but also those from Roachbank and possibly the Horse Viking the numbers involved would still be modest when set against the overall scale of this problem. Certainly he does not feel that they would justify the measures contemplated in the second conclusion. No doubt there will be
further discussions on this issue in Cabinet tomorrow on the basis of the Home Secretary's Paper (C(79)15). He hopes that as a result of this discussion it would be possible to make it clear to the shipping industry as soon as possible what our future intentions are. We should bear in mind that it could well follow from a period of uncertainty that British ships would become extremely reluctant to assist any refugees in distress. It would surely be intolerable for us to hold a position which led to that.
I am sending copies of this letter to the recipients of your letter to Steven Wall, and to Andrew Duguid (Department of Industry).
Yous
Sincerely,
Tom Hamis
TG HARRIS
Private Secretary