The Rt. on Douglas Furd, p
Home Secretary
Fone office
Queen Anne's Cate
London SUK SAD
23 September 1908
BRITISH REFUGEE COUNCIL
Bondway House 3/9 Bondway London SW8 IS] Telephone 01-582 6922 Cables BREFCON LONDON SW8
Dear Home Secretary
Members of the British Refugee Council have been closely following recent events in Hong Kong relating to refugees from Vietnam. Lord Ennals has today written to the Foreign Secretary on behalf of our Asia Committee. (copy attached)
I am now writing on behalf of our Executive Council to ask you to review and extend Britain's commitment to resettle some of the refugees in Hong Kong and elsewhere in South-East Asia.
There are approximately 16,000 refugees from Vietnam in Hong Kong who arrived before the introduction of the screening procedure on 16 June. This now represents a finite number. It is no longer possible to argue that an expeditious resettlement programme for these people will encourage others to set out.
With other resettlement countries now considering what numbers to offer in 1989, we believe this is an excellent moment for Britain to take the lead.
I am therefore enclosing a paper, prepared by the main resettlement agencies with the participation of major community-based organisations of refugees from Vietnam, and approved by BRC's Executive Council, which sets out our proposals. We do hope that the Government will be able to approve them and we would of course be willing to engage in discussions with your officials over the details.
Yours sincerely
Lord Chitnis Chairman
Chairman Lord Chitnis
Vice Chairman Sir Leslie Kirkley CBE
Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer H A Shaw OBE
Director Martin Barber Ph.D