Mr Murray
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Thank
you
.
I fully
Mrefutari 128/10 14. Weliam 28.10
HKK 243
RECEIVED 19 5"
bagree with
MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG TO THE UK
MY NO. 51
(1744)
5400
A
1. Your minute of 4 October on Hong Kong telegram No 1373 (not copied).
B
2. The Hong Kong TUR was a reply to FCO telegram No 782 which was despatched at Home Office request. The Home Office were concerned that the movement of refugees to the UK should not be restricted by inadequate transport arrangements.
1733
3. I have discussed paragraph 3 of Hong Kong TUR with Mr Head, the Head of the relevant department in the Home Office, pointing out that the September figure of 196 would make a poor impression on other major resettlement countries. Mr Head said that there were reasons for this relating to delays in making transport arrangements: hence FCO telegram No 782. However, the October performance should be much better. 1,700 refugees had been "called forward" during the last fortnight or so and the number actually moved in October was expected to be around 1,400. Mr Head will provide the material for a reply on these lines.
4. Mr Head said that the Home Office were now considering 3 possible options for the remainder of this year. These are as follows:-
1) The residue of the original quota of 1,500 plus
a further 1,500 from the 10,000 quota;
2) The residue of the 1,500 plus 3,000 (1,000 a month);
3) The same as 2) but with additional movements in the
early months of 1980 there would be a pause under (1) and (2) in January and February.
5. Mr Head said that Home Office officials hoped to get the Home Secretary's support for option (2) or (3). But there were financial problems. Even option (1) would cost £3.5 million; options (2) and (3) would be considerably more expensive and would probably require additional funds not now allocated. The Home Office anticipated that the Chief Secretary would wish to take the matter to Cabinet. They were therefore drafting a letter for the Home Secretary to send to the Ministers most closely concerned and hoped that this would issue next week.
They also hoped that Lord Carrington and the Lord Privy Seal would give their support to one of the "higher" options. The aim was to get a decision before Mr Woodfield went to Hong Kong.
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16.