TNAG-0558-FCO40-653-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 171

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30/5

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY

AID TO REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM

Thank you for your minute of 13 May.

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عام کالا

I am agreeable in principle to some contribution from aid funds towards the cost of the refugees who are at present stranded in Hong Kong. I assume that this is a temporary problem and I note that vigorous efforts are being made to find a permanent home for them elsewhere. Since we do not know the cost of their temporary support in Hong Kong, it is not easy for me to offer a specific sum and

I would not wish to make more than a contribution towards the total

cost. I am content therefore that our officials should be in touch

with the Governor about the cost of relief and subject to information about this I would be prepared initially to contribute up to £20,000. If the refugees had to stay for some time, we might need to look at this again.

When I announced the £1 million of relief in Parliament I said it

would be available for humanitarian needs in Vietnam and Cambodia.

I propose therefore that this assistance to Hong Kong should come not from this £1 million but from the separate fund for Disasters Relief.

I recognise that there is a more general problem of resettlement of the refugees. I understand that your Office is preparing a general paper about the problems of Indo China; this will no doubt include the

question of resettlement and I should like to consider it in that

broad context.

I am copying this to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary and Sir John Hunt.

Ек сьвяце

PA

Ministry of Overseas Development

29 May 1975

CONFIDENTIAL