CONFIDENTIAL
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Overseas Students' Fees
3. The Secretary of State's meeting on 29 January decided that, given
the present economic climate, it is not worth consulting other
Ministers on possible concessions for Dependent Territory students.
Sir S Y Chung and Mr O V Cheung mentioned to the Secretary of State
on 2 February that Hong Kong was prepared to support first degree
students by making a direct payment to the UGC. This is one of
several fall-back solutions now being considered by the Governor.
Vietnamese Refugees
4. The UK resettlement quota of 10,000 will be exhausted by April.
The Governor would have preferred Lord Carrington to announce, during
his visit to Hong Kong, a new additional quota of 250 per month for
the rest of 1981. However, officials' view is that Lord Carrington
should raise this issue with his colleagues after his return from
Hong Kong. This will make it easier for him to argue Hong Kong's case.
Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA)
5. The MFA is due to be renegotiated this year. HMG are committed
to seeking an effective successor but at the same time appreciate the
significance of the Arrangement for Hong Kong.
The Secretary of State's Visit
6. The Secretary of State will visit Hong Kong from 29 March to
1 April before going to China and Japan. His programme in Hong Kong
will include discussions with the Governor and senior officials on
the above topics, as well as the Hong Kong aspects of UK/China
relations. He will also meet UMELCO and the Urban Council as well
as visiting the security forces and the New Towns.
Hong Kong and General Department
26 February 1981
CONFIDENTIAL