CONFIDENTIAL
Increasing resettlement
resettlement
There is no doubt that the key
countries
6.
persuading
any greater
in
key to
success by HMG
to increase their off take is
action by the UK itself to take more refugees from Hong Kong.
Without
this we and Hong Kong are in an impossible position in
seeking to persuade other countries to do more: this has been made
clear on many occasions by UNHCR and other resettlement countries.
Although our record is not a bad one (we have accepted 12,500
Vietnamese from Hong Kong since 1979), in the last 3 years
resettlement here has fallen drastically (we have accepted less than
500 from Hong Kong in that time, including only 88 in 1984) and
other resettlement countrie are aware of this.
7.
The
We therefore consider that we should make a major effort
major effort to get
a further resettlement programme in this country started.
climate for this is now slightly better: in their report published
this week SCORRI have recommended that a more forthcoming attitude
be adopted on family reunion
cases (there are 400 500 cases now
necessary Britain should accept a
under consideration), and that i f
small share of those who are hard
in Hong Kong camps.
There is
-
to resettle and have spent years
considerable support, even from the
right, for the thesis that we should do more to help Hong Kong.
There is some evidence that the Home Office are beginning to adopt a
flexible posture. The SCORRI recommendations will help in this
more
respect.
8.
is
What is
However while a decision to
to admit the family reunion cases would
undoubtedly be helpful, we do not think that it would be sufficient
on a long term basis to persuade other resettlement countries to
continue taking larger numbers from Hong Kong. A one off gesture
likely to be largely forgotten within couple of years.
a
needed is a continuing off take by the
off take an
is somewhat arbitrary: but
strengthen our arm adequately in dealing with other resettlement
countries, a figure of the order of 500 a year is necessary.
such
UK.
Clearly any figure for
view Our
is that to
CONFIDENTIAL
within
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