cst.ps/12jm6.6/lets
Spokes to Mr Crabbie HE. no to that additional 50 Mos tents should be charged
under felem provelion d
ch Or 9/66
RESTRICTED
CHIEF
MON
DRU
SECRETARY TO THE
TREAS
Wir land, HKD)
PS / Lord Glemtin
Mi Gollmon
56
Mr Statherick Mr Mclaren Mr Cassie, Rus
Finance Ogastmand Treasury Chambers, Parliament Street, SWIP 3AG Lawson for drawing
on this commit mas
is Mikt Carbring, 210 6019. All papos should be equad
to lum.
The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe QC MP Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Foreign & Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
7/6
/RAL
Miss Marsden
6
June 1989
Dear Foreign Secretary,
Mr Habwen 8%
W%
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
50
Thank you for your minute of 2 June seeking my urgent agreement to a discretionary claim of up to £4.25 million from this year's Reserve to provide for emergency temporary accommodation for Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong.
We settled this matter,last night via our private offices and I am writing now to confirm the agreement reached.
I agreed that the costs of providing 100 marquee tents and of converting a barracks should both be found from the 1989-90 Reserve. I suggest our officials agree the final figures for the conversion of the barracks when they become clearer but accept that up to £4 million may be necessary for this.
Your minute of 22 May and the OD paper for discussion this Thursday suggest that further expenditure may be necessary if the problem of the boat people is to be finally resolved. We will of course be discussing the wider picture with colleagues on Thursday 8 June.
I
am copying this letter to members of OD, to Chris Patten and to Sir Robin Butler.
HKB 243/11
Yours sincerely,
Phalas
PP JOHN MAJOR
[Approved by the Chuff Secretory and
signed in his absence.]