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BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION
British High Commission
80 Elgin Street Ottawa Ontario K1P 5K7 14 NOV 1975
D K Timms Esq
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept FCO
HELIST
Your reference
Our reference
2/3
Date
3 November 1975
Dear Timms,
216
246
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
1.
I recently discussed the admission of Vietnamese refugees to Canada with Gavin Stewart, Chief of the Asia Bureau in Manpower and Immigration.
The following up- dates my letter to you of 20 June, and Drace-Francis' letter of 22 July to O'Keeffe.
2.
The Canadians have so far authorised the admittance of 325 independent refugees and 233 sponsored dependents and nominated relatives from Hong Kong. As of 24 October all the independent refugees have been admitted and 201 of the relatives have arrived in Canada.
3. Stewart anticipated that no more independent refugees would be authorised admission, as the Cabinet ceiling of 1,000 refugees had almost been reached. His Department were unable to exceed that limit without obtaining Cabinet approval, and this they are under no pressure to do. There is a slight chance that the UNHCR, or the Governments of Thailand and Malaysia might make representations to the Canadian Government, but Stewart thought this unlikely. The present climate does not favour an increase in the present ceiling.
4.
The ceiling only affects independent refugees, and the Canadian Immigration Office in Hong Kong will still be able to deal with refugees who come under either the category of sponsored dependents or nominated relatives.
Your
cc: CDS Drace-Francis Esq
HONG KONG
PS Astley Esq SEAD, FCO
Eary Janel Parry
Emmy
Emyr Jones Parry
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