GRS 550
UNCLASSIFED
FM HONG KONG
TO ROUINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
TELNO 173
OF 171015Z FEBRUARY 86
INFO ROUTINE FCO
༡
Y
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON FOR BEN TANG. ALSO PLEASE PASS A
COPY TO LIZ HEBDEN AT THE HOME OFFICE.
FCO FOR MR LEEKS, HKD
FROM KEN WOODHOUSE
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : UK FAMILY REUNION CASES.
WE WERE DISAPPOINTED TO RECEIVE THE REQUEST FROM REFUGEE ACTION TO
HOLD 15 REFUGEES IN HONG KONG BECAUSE ADEQUATE HOUSING WAS NOT (NOT)
AVAILBABLE. WE SHALL, OF COURSE, COMPLY WITH THIS REQUEST, BUT IT DOES CAUSE SOME DISTRESS AMONG THE REFUGEES. THEY ARE ANXIOUS THAT
NOTHING SHOULD INTERFERE WITH THEIR RESETTLEMENT.
2. WE HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF HER PRESENCE HERE WITH LORD
CHITNIS TO DISCUSS THIS PROBLEM WITH JULIA MEIKLEJOHN. WE THINK
THAT WE NOW UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS A LITTLE BETTER AND
ACCORDINGLY HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
WE SHALL NOT (NOT) MAKE ANY CHANGES UNTIL YOU HAVE DISCUSSED EACH
OF THEM WITH:
(A) REFUGEE ACTION
(B) OCKENDEN VENTURE
KK 243/
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
18 FEB 1986
(C) THE BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
Acton Taken
(D) THE HOME OFFICE, AND
(E) THE FCO.
3. WE SUGGEST THAT:
(A) WE SHOULD CEASE SENDING YOU LISTS OF 40 REFUGEES EACH MONTH FROM
WHICH TO SELECT FAMILY REUNION CASES. IT IS OBVIOUS THESE LISTS ARE
NOT HELPING THE FEW OF THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT HONG KONG HAVE COME FROM
THESE LISTS.
(B) THE VOLAGS SHOULD CONTINUE TO CONSULT PROSPECTIVE SPONSORS (AS THEY DO AT PRESENT), BUT THEY SHOULD TELEX US AND THE HOME OFFICE
AS THEY OBTAIN SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT. THEY SHOULD ALSO INDICATE
THE HOUSING STATUS OF THE FAMILY REUNION CASES IN HONG KONG HE.
WHETHER HOUSING WITH THEIR RELATIVES IS POSSIBLE OR WHETHER
ACCOMMODATION IS REQUIRED. IN THE LATTER CASE, AN INDICATION OF
WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE SHOULD BE PROVIDED.
ICE