In
handicapped or unaccompanied elderly people who survived the trip was small. response to a request from Mrs Pearce he said that the Home Office would consider publicising the voluntary organisations' wish not to be sent offers of adoption. She explained that the need to respond to the offers sent in placed an unnecessary strain on the voluntary organisations; there were virtually no unaccompanied children and in any case it was unwise to contemplate adoption until it was clear that a child was indefinitely separated from parents. On the question of family reunions, all refugees from Hong Kong would count against the 10,000 quota. If there was a possibility of other relatives wishing to come direct from Vietnam or from elsewhere. the Home Office would have to consider the implications of this for the quota.
5. There was some discussion of the mercy ship hich Mr Godfrey Bradman wished to sponsor. Sir Leslie Kirkley said that France, Italy and the United States had given the sort of undertaking which was being asked of the British Government. While the flow of refugees from Vietnam had decreased, the actions of Malaysia were causing concern; according to Mr Bradman the Malaysians had commissioned 15 new tugs for the expulsion of the Vietnamese. It was not being suggested that mercy ships should lie off the Vietnamese or Malaysian coast, where they might serve to stimulate the flow of departures. They would be well out to sea, saving those who would otherwise. drown.
the British Government could deduct any picked up from the 10,000 quota. In reply, Mr Raison said that he was unable to give any commitment. There were difficulites in subtracting from the quota, which was designed to ease the pressure on Hong Kong. The Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. was meeting in Geneva later in the month to discuss the problem of rescue at sea. The Government would be studying the outcome.
If necessary,
6. The meeting concluded.
3 August 1979
cc Mr Butler
Mr Whalley Mr Woodfield
Mr de Deney
Mr Hilary (OR) Mr Angel
Mr Head (OR)
Mr Birt
Mr D Grant
WR FITTALL
Private Secretary