TNAG-0557-FCO40-652-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 143

SUEMISSION TO THE MINISTER

In the attached letter the Foreign Secretary suggests a contribution to Hong

Kong towards relief to Vietnamese refugees. Ho mentions no figures, and we have not so far had any request from the Hong Kong Government. I understand that, in

fact, there are only about 4000 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong so far: but

nearly all of them are survivors from a ship-wreck and are consequently entirely

destitute. They have been competently locked after by the organisation in Hong Kong that is responsible for relief after typhoons.

FCO officials believe that a contribution of £20,000 might be adequate provided

that we made it clear that it was intended as a contribution towards the immediate

needs only.

I suggest that the money should be found from the Disasters Relief sub-Head, in the same way as you agreed that we might pay for military stores for the use of

Vietnamese refugees in Singapore. This latter contribution, incidentally, seems

unlikely now to be needed, as nearly all the refugees that were at Singapore have

now loft.

2 Barte

R L Baxter

Far East Department

15 May 1975

cc Mr D Williams

Mr CRA Rae

Mr E T Barnes

Mr JC Machin