TNAG-0653-FCO40-802-Previously-closed-extract-Folio-87.-Now-released-and-reunite-1977 — Page 149

Jimanife that than are still

sound, but

Idn't

Think and

should

auguide.

Diun

Mr Symons pop

Mr David Hong Kong Department

SMALL BOAT REFUGEES

1.

JDKK 243/3321

Reference....

1. M.

- WJ Ry

Totus al

To ICE

2.

ce for HK file

During a conversation with the UNHCR Representative the other day, M. Heidler referred to the Government's recent response to the High Commissioner's Appeal on behalf of the small boat refugees. He referred in particular to the caveat contained in our response to the effect that the majority of refugees to be accepted into the UK should come from Hong Kong and pointed out that there were no small boat refugees presently in Hong Kong and awaiting resettlement. He assumed that we would wish to give preference, therefore, to those awaiting resettlement in Commonwealth countries such as Malaysia and Singapore.

2. I said that the latter was not the case and that if it was true that there were no small boat refugees in Hong Kong awaiting resettlement, then the Government would be prepared to consider individual appecations on their merits from small boat refugees (who had expressed a wish to come to the UK) at any place in

South East Asia. I explained that it was our intention to relieve the burden on Hong Kong and apart from this not to give, preference to refugees landed in, particular country.

all-

8 March 1977

шику

Pras

P Morgan

UN Department

CODE 18 -17

:). 51

10 MAR 1977