subject as follows:
Cab 24 May
- No commitment to accept refugees picked up by British
ships for settlement in the UK
F
Cabinet 29 May
- No general commitment should be taken to accept refugees
rescued by United Kingdom ship who were not resettled
elsewhere. Cases should be looked at on their merits
G
as necessary.
OD Meeting of
10 July
We should include in the total of 10,000 any refugees
who arrived here after being picked up at sea by
British ships.
Cabinet of
Endorsed CD decision
H
H
12 July
5.
It seems clear that the OD decision, endorsed by Cabinet, does not
amount to a reversal of earlier decisions to consider ship cases
on their merits. Unless Cabinet reverses thèse decision any assurance
given to shipowners must therefore fall short of an outright commitment.
6. About 120 refugees were picked up last week by the British ship
Two sick children were the Ruddbank, which was bound for Shanghai.
The
dropped off at Hong Kong for medical treatment and the ship took on
food, water and medical supplies there. The shipowners did not request
permission to land the remainder of the refugees at Hong Kong.
ship then proceeded to their next scheduled port of call, Shanghai.
The Chinese authorities have indicated willingness to accept the
principle of first asylum by agreeing allow the refugees ashore.
Sallow
Unfortunately the refugees, who are ethnic Vietnamese and mostly
ex-military officers have so far been reluctant to leave the ship.
า
adults!
expand a
little