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in recent weeks.
Action is being taken with the Chinese.
13. UK quota of 10,000 agreed at Geneva in 1979 has not
yet been filled. Hong Kong is concerned that UK commitment
should continue so that other countries, especially the US,
maintain own resettlement programmes. Prime Minister has
made it clear that in present circumstances a further quota
is out of the question.
14. There have recently been two rescues at sea of substantial
numbers of refugees by British-registered ships making for
Hong Kong. We have had to tell Hong Kong that while these
refugees can be accepted in the UK they must be included in
the remainder of the 10,000 UK quota. The political atmosphere
here would not allow them to be excluded from the quota.
Hong Kong will find this difficult to accept. We shall need
to reassure the Governor that we will press Hong Kong's interests.
strongly on ways of tackling ship rescues once the quota is
exhausted.
Hong Kong and General Department
19 June 1981
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