COVERING CONFIDENTIAL
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per SCORPI
380
PS/Lady Young
FROM: C A Munro
Western European Department
DATE: 8 November 1985
CC: Mr Galsworthy, HKD
→CC:
LADY YOUNG'S VISIT TO FINLAND: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
A 1. In paragraph 2 of Helsinki tel 224, Mr Brooke Turner suggests
that during her visit to Helsinki, Lady Young might raise the
question of Vietnamese refugees. This might be done over lunch
with Mr Wihtol.
2.
Following the announcement (in a Home Office White Paper on
26 September) of our decision to accept some 500 Vietnamese
refugees from Hong Kong for resettlement in the UK, we have been
conducting a major diplomatic campaign to persuade other countries
also to take additional numbers from the territory. In response
to an approach by the Embassy in Helsinki, the Finns have confirmed
that under new arrangements for an annual quota to admit 100
refugees for resettlement, 80 places in the first quota will
probably go to Hong Kong. (Helsinki tel 222 attached.) This is
a generous response to our request.
3.
It would be helpful if Lady Young could thank the Finns, and
say that we would very much welcome any further assistance with
Hong Kong's Vietnamese refugee problems that they are able to
give in the future.
CA Munro
Western European Department
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