R+ & time
74
DC
HOME OFFICE
Queen Anne's Gate London SW1H 9AT
T C S Stitt Esq
South East Asia Departmen
ce the Welhamse Hel
97.9
a
Direct line 01-213 Switchboard 01-213 3000
Mkie 243/2
Foreign and Commonwealth Off SEP1981
Dear Stitt
DÈSK OFFICER
INDEX
по
PA
Lotter
51
REGISTAY Action Taken
PGD 147
73
Your reference
Our reference
Date
27 August 1981
No Mergales APA Hong Kong
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28.8.
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Mr. Williamson
Mr Stitt has also
I have seen the Hong Kong telegram of 18 August from Margolis which questionatele letter
rate at which refugees are being received from the quota.
the Mas
288
I enclose a note setting out the reception centre capacity and the demands on its use which we foresee at the end of August. The point to note about capacity is that as individual centres close in the run down programme, for the final month or so of their existence it is not sensible to send refugees there; this explains the unused capacity upon which Margolis remarked. Additionally as centres close it is often necessary to transfer the residue of refugees, who have still to be settled, into other reception centres thus reducing the places available for a further intake of quota refugees.
We are continuing with the planned closure of reception centres and this will affect the overall capacity shown in the note. We have, however, recently had to extend the existence of certain centres because of a significant slowing down in the rate of resettlement, because of lack of housing, and in order to provide for the reception of some 160 boat rescue cases from the Tokio Bay and Texaco Bombay who are due to be received at the end of this month. The rate of resettlement may improve or get worse; we may have to receive yet more pressing boat rescues. This indicates the difficulties of planning the call forward arrangements from Hong Kong but we will continue with these as and when reception centre places become available.
Yours sincerely
icholson
JF NICHOLSON