From the Private Secretary
Sean Francs,
CONFIDENTIAL
SEAD
PS/Mr Blaker Mr Donald
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T MON
10 DOWNING STREET
FA
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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 74
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3 APR 1981
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
JACES
31 March 1981
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14.
See (42)
cc HKG D
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Vietnamese Refugees
The Prime Minister has seen the minutes from the Secretary of State for Trade and the Home Secretary, dated 20 March and 27 March respectively, on this subject. The Prime Minister does not wish to take any definitive decisions on the question of admitting Vietnamese refugees, from whatever scurce, to this country until the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has reported on his visit to Hong Kong. As you will know from my letter to Roderic Lyne of 11 March, the Prime Minister is unconvinced that it would be right to enter into a new commitment to admit further Vietnamese refugees to this country.
However, the Prime Minister recognises that further boat people may be picked up at sea before her discussion with the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary. She agrees therefore that a guarantee of resettlement may be given to any refugees rescued at sea in the interim.
I am sending copies of this letter to John Halliday (Home Office), Stuart Hampson (Department of Trade) and David Wright (Cabinet Office).
Yous
Francis Richards, Esq.,
Joze
ever
Michael Alexander
Lnd Commonwealth Office
CORTIDENTIAL