CONFIDENTIAL
46904
1
CHANGE IN PRESENT POLICY.
HOWEVER, AS I AM SURE YOU KNOW, CURRENT
PRACTICE DOES EFFECTIVELY RESULT IN THE ACCEPTANCE IN THE UK OF
REFUGEES PICKED UP BY BRITISH SHIPS AND LANDED IN HONG KONG. IT
IS JUST THAT HMG ARE NOT PREPARED TO GIVE AN ADVANCE BLANKET
GUARANTEE TO ANY STATE OR TERRITORY.
4. IN HIS FOLLOW-UP TELELETTER OF 9 DECEMBER, BIM ASKED ABOUT
REFUGEES FROM THREE VESSELS WHO ARE STILL IN HONG KONG. THE HOME
OFFICE WERE NOT AWARE THAT YOU ATTACHED ANY PRIORITY WITHIN THE
REMAINING QUOTA MOVEMENTS TO THESE REFUGEES, AND NEITHER THEY NOR
WE WERE CONSCIOUS OF ANY DEADLINES PASSING. BUT THE HOME OFFICE
ARE NOW ARRANGING FOR THEM ALL TO BE BROUGHT HERE BEFORE THE END
OF JANUARY.
5. NONE OF THIS, I AM AFRAID, IS PARTICULARLY HELPFUL FROM YOUR
POINT OF VIEW. I KNOW, HOWEVER, THAT YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF THE
CONSTRAINTS AT THIS END. IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO DISCUSS THE PROB-
LEM IN JANUARY, AND IT WILL BE USEFUL FOR THE LORD PRIVY SEAL TO
SEE CONDITIONS FOR HIMSELF ON THE SPOT. YOURS EVER, ALAN'.
2. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TUESDAY.
SIGNED R D CLIFT
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CONFIDENTIAL