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Treasury Chambers, Parliament Street, SWIP 3AG
The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd CBE MP
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate London
SW1H 9AT
Dar
Douglas,
23
December 1988
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: RESETTLEMENT
Thank you for copying to me your joint minute with Geoffrey Howe of 1 December about Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.
I am disappointed that contrary to the agreement of Ministers the paper does not provide a full assessment of the costs of the policy proposal. I agree however that the costs of the statutory services, notably in terms of social security benefits, will be relatively small. I would therefore expect such costs as there
are to be absorbed where they fall. I note that you estimate the costs falling to the Home Office to be a maximum of £1⁄4 million a year for grant aid to voluntary organisations working
working with the refugees. I ask that you also absorb these small additional costs within your existing provision. Subject to these points I am content with your proposals.
I am
copying this letter to Geoffrey Howe, Nicholas Ridley, Norman Fowler, Chris Patten, other members of H Committee and Sir Robin Butler.
Ever John
JOHN MAJOR
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