Increasing resettlement
CONFIDENTIAL
6.
There is no doubt that the key to
persuading
resettlement
countries
to
any greater success by HMG in
their
is offtake
in
increase
action by the UK itself to take more refugees from Hong Kong.
in impossible position an
to do more: this has been made
other resettlement
Without
we
and
seeking
clear
Although
on many
Our
this
Hong Kong are
countries to persuade other
occasions by UNHCR
record is not a bad
and
countries.
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
that time, including only 88 in 1984)
other resettlement countries are aware of this.
in
and
7.
a
We therefore consider that we should make a major effort to get
further
resettlement
programme
in
this
country
started.
The
climate for this
this is now slightly better: in their report published this week SCORRI have recommended that a more forthcoming attitude
be adopted on family reunion
under consideration),
-
cases (there are 400 500 cases now
accept necessary Britain should
that if
small share of those who are hard
and
in
Hong Kong camps.
is There
to
a
and have resettle
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 more flexible posture. The SCORRI recommendations will help in this
respect.
do not
on
a
long
to
persuade
my
8. However while a decision to admit the family reunion cases
it would be think that undoubtedly be helpful, we
term basis
other resettlement
A one continue taking larger numbers from Hong Kong. likely to be largely forgotten within couple of
a
would
sufficient
is
a continuing off take by
an
off take
is
our
arm
somewhat
adequately
needed
such
strengthen
countries, a figure of the order of 500 a year is necessary.
the UK.
arbitrary:
but
years.
Clearly any figure for
our view
that to
to countries
is off gesture
What is
is
in
dealing with
other
resettlement
CONFIDENTIAL
up 15
500
Pa
with on
lamit, nennon Carkence?