ROZAEK
CONFIDENTIAL
Secretary State (53
Metham, HKD Thank The Sevators you
in state
Jo.
has noted.
Mr McLaren
моторва
Lubys
Private Secretary
FROM :
DATE :
CC:
CO Hum
Hong Kongpartment
25 May 1988
PS/Lord Glenarthur
PS/Mr Eggary.
Mr Gillmore
Mr Colvin, SAD
Mr Williams, UND
HUD 243/12
ния
^ J
1988
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: RESETTLEMENT IN THE UK
Problem
1.
Her Majesty's Government will come under strong pressure to
make an additional resettlement commitment to help Hong Kong cope
with its greatly increased refugee problem.
Сигиз
Recommendation
At this stage the Secretary of State is asked only to take note of the problem. He will wish to bear it in mind during his visit to Hong Kong and when he comes to make recommendations to colleagues on
his return.
2.
Background
3.
The situation in Hong Kong is continuing to deteriorate rapidly. A telegram received today sums it up in stark terms. The total population of boat people (13,200) is now the highest since 1980. Arrivals so far this year are more than in any full year
since 1982. Arrivals this month (2,400) are already more than in
any one month since July 1979.
4. The Hong Kong Government have made it clear to us that they hope that implementation of the proposed new policy would be accompanied by a major international effort to resettle those who
CONFIDENTIAL