some Local Authorities to provide housing. We would hope that your Government
find means of stimulating information about the present position and urging the public to co-operate in a new attempt to give a welcome to a few thousand homeless people who cannot possibly return to the country of their birth.
In support of this point of view I would like to draw your attention to the following figures extracted from the UNHCRS Report of 1st September:
U.S.A. France
has received and resettled 283,655 (28,055 from Hong Kong)
#
17
11
66,955 (chiefly by virtue of its
Colonial links)
63,397 (11,021 from Hong Kong)
Canada
1!
!!
77
Australia
#1
??
40,514 (1,768
West Germany
"
11
量
15,198 (2,105 11
Switzerland
11
11
#
11
5,884
Belgium
11
11
3,312
Netherlands 11
3,289
Italy
11
11
11
2,598
Hong Kong
11
11
It
11
**
#
9,100 land refugees through China
I note also that Malaysia still has 17,870 to be resettled out of the 136,328 received, and that 235,694 have been resettled from Thailand with 128,936 still waiting.
BA
We recognise that Hong Kong has made things as comfortable as possible for refugees in addition to providing job opportunities to about 60% of those who are employable. I do feel however that this comparative 'comfort' should not be a reason for delaying their transfer to a country for permanent resettlement. 35,545 were still waiting in Hong Kong on Monday of this week. Over the last 21 weeks, 9,273 new boat refugees have arrived in Hong Kong an average of 451 per week. It seems that six months from now Hong Kong is still likely to have 20,000 of the present refugees left in addition to all who may arrive between now and then. The people in Hong Kong spoke to me of their fear that if Britain is not prepared to work more quickly and take another "quota" the U.S.A. and other countries may stop helping out, as the lead from Britain in respect of its Territory is naturally expected.
Wishing you a good journey and successful visit,
Yours sincerely,
Jonn
$2
John P. Hastings.