5.00%
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to accept in the absence of effective measures to stop
the flow of refugees.
Improved Training Facilities
12. Any scheme which makes refugees more acceptable to resettlement countries is obviously useful. Much is already being done in this respect, and the Hong Kong Government are considering with UNHCR further means to provide refugees
with appropriate skills. We shall encourage this. This will enable us to reply positively to the SCORRI recommendations on this point, and may also help to improve the closed camp policy's public image. In this connection you may wish to
consider whether in connection with an increased UK offtake
some use of the UNHCR retraining facilities at Bataan in the
Philippines would be helpful.
Conclusion
13. I know the difficulties, but I regard the above proposals
as the minimum required to contain the situation in the medium term. I hope that you can accept them.
If you
would find it helpful I should be happy to meet and discuss them at a convenient time. Meanwhile, since I think
it desirable that you and I should first reach agreement,
I am not copying this minute further to colleagues.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 20 May 1985
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M
GEOFFREY HOWE