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PA 243/2
Mr C Francis
Migration and Visa Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
CLIVE HOUSE
Please reply to The Under Secretary of State Your reference
Our reference
IMG/85 58/1026/14
Date
(3 November 1985
Dear Colin
VIETNAMESE FAMILY REUNION CASES
We spoke yesterday about the arrangements which had been made to process the 500 people who we have agreed to accept from the Hong Kong refugee camps as part of the response to the SCORRI report.
I enclose copies of correspondence with Hong Kong Department which set out our understanding of the Foreign Office's role in processing these cases. We anticipate that the cases will be grouped in batches of about 40 at a time and processed at monthly intervals. The British Refugee Agencies will confirm, at the United Kingdom end, that the sponsor still wishes his or her relatives to come here and the Hong Kong Government will check, at the Hong Kong end, that all those named wish to settle in the United Kingdom and that their details are correct. When we are satisfied that both of these steps have been completed we shall authorise acceptance of the complete batch. Any cases where problems occur will simply be omitted from the batch.
As you know the normal practice in refugee cases is to go through Migration and Visa Department when authorising settlement visas. I understand that Hong Kong Department would now prefer us to work direct with the Hong Kong Government Office rather than channel information through them. We would be willing to telex authorisation to Hong Kong direct but I am anxious to avoid any confusion and duplication of effort between our two sections. Can you confirm that you would be content for us to deal directly with Hong Kong providing that we ensure that you receive copies of the individuals' details and the telex authorising acceptance.
I have already authorised by telex acceptance of two families consisting of 21 people in all as we had to process them by 18 November. I enclose copies of the relevant telexes. The next group are due to be dealt with this month and I should therefore welcome an early response.
iam
am copying this letter to Olivia Walker in Hong Kong Department for information without. enclosive
ENCS
MICK 243/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 1 NOV1985
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Yours sincerely Liz Helden.
MISS A E HEBDEN
Refugee and Special Cases Section
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