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wave' refugees, those admitted because of family
ties with earlier refugees resettled here.
We are
already committed to accepting over 2,000 individuals
still in Vietnam.
While it is impossible to put
a figure on the long term total, it could well
outnumber those accepted under our various quotas
by a considerable margin, and will obviously
place additional strains on resettlement arrangements,
Many of those qualifying in this way seem likely
to come from among those already in Hong Kong, or
likely to arrive in the future, thus swelling our
total offtake from Hong Kong well beyond the
original quota. Refugees accepted into the UK
following rescue at sea by British vessels must
naturally also be taken into account.
In 1981 therefore Britain will continue to
receive Indo-Chinese refugees in appreciable
numbers, [in completion of our quota and under
our non quota commitments.
ents.)
We are not however
in a position to announce any new quota at present.
Con
On the other hand we do not intend to place any
artificial limit on acceptance of refugees which meet
our non-quota criteria. I can assure you that we
are fully aware of the problems to which you draw
attention in your letter, and entirely share
your concern that the rate of resettlement should
be maintained,
In this context I should like to
record my admiration for the magnificent contribution
which the United States continues to make. My
/colleagues