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CONFIDENTIAL
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : ESSENTIAL FACTS
Present Position
1. On 2 March, less than 18,500 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong
awaiting resettlement. This does not include some 2,400 who have
settled in China, entered Hong Kong illegally and are due to be
repatriated to China. There are, however, some signs of an
increase in outflow from Vietnam.
Recent Developments
2. Americans did not raise new UK quota during Prime Minister's
visit. However, Governor will be pleased to learn that Cabinet
is likely to reinterpret original decision and exclude all
Vietnamese refugees rescued by British-registered ships from existing
quota of 10,000; will now be reserved exclusively for Hong Kong.
Home Office team at present in Hong Kong instructed to select
additional 700. This will give more time to consider issue of
additional UK quota, now not needed until mid-summer.
New Quota
3.
However, presentational
The Governor telegraphed the Secretary of State suggesting
that he should announce new UK quota of 250 per month from April
to end of 1981, during his visit to Hong Kong.
advantages in Hong Kong outweighed by tactical considerations in UK.
Not going to be easy to get Cabinet agreement to even very modest
quota of, say, 1,250 until end of year, though this may be needed
to persuade Americans and Canadians to continue their own resettle-
ment programmes. Tactically more appropriate to go back to Cabinet
after visit to Hong Kong. Breathing space provided by additional
700 makes this easier and even more preferable. Also danger that
Home Office will make link between additional quota and Hong Kong's
demands on Nationality.
Hong Kong and General Department
6 March 1981
CONFIDENTIAL