also at
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HKK 0263
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY AO. 51T 11 NOV 1980
DESK OFMCER
INDEX
PA
MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG : 5 NOVEMBER 1980
Present
NW
KCMG MC
Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO
Sir E Youde KCMG MBE
Mr G G H Walden
Mr R D Clift
The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington
56
Mr R M J Lyne
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
1. Lord Carrington said that it would be very difficult to
secure agreeemnt on a fresh quota by the UK for boat people in Hong Kong. The climate in the UK, with over 2 million, unemployed, was very unfavourable.
2. Sir M MacLehose said that this was the most important of the relatively small problems which he faced. He would be in deep trouble if there were no new British quota. The Americans would be likely to reduce or even stop their quota and other countries could follow suit. The worst course would be for HMG to say that there would be no further programme. At the very least, what was needed was a formula with a
statement that the programme would continue and perhaps that a Home Office team would go to examine the situation. If possible, a figure of, say, 5,000 should be mentioned (as an upper limit including boat rescues) but it was not necessary to be too precise on this. The problem could be solved with a
comparatively small future commitment by HMG.
3.
Lord Carrington said that he would speak to the Home Secretary before the Governor saw Mr Whitelaw on 6 November. He was sure there would be no problem in avoiding any statement that there would be no further British programme. He realised the Governor needed more than that and he would do his best.
But it would be very difficult.
DISTRIBUTION:
PS PS/LPS
PS/Mr Blaker PS/PUS
Sir E Youde
Mr Donald
HKGD
SEAD
MVD
Governor of Hong Kong
CONFIDENTIAL
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