TNAG-0843-FCO40-1053-Visit-of-Lord-Carrington--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-1979 — Page 71

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VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

5. Much sympathy in the UK for Hong Kong's predicament, and

admiration for maintenance of humane attitude towards refugees.

Solutions can only be found through concerted international

action, for which we have been pressing vigorously. Because

of other commitments, very difficult for UK to accept many

more Vietnamese refugees permanently: we accepted 730,000

people for settlement in Britain in the 10 years 1968-78,

72,300 of them in 1978.

POSSIBLE CHANGES IN BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW

6. Fully understand the concern felt in Hong Kong over the

1977 Green Paper proposal to create a separate category of

British Overseas Citizen. The Governor had a useful discus-

sion with Home Office Ministers when he was in London. No

decisions yet taken and Hong Kong's views will be carefully

considered.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

soon.

7. This is due to be debated in the British Parliament fairly

Difficult to consider position in Hong Kong in advance

of that debate, but well aware that the subject arouses strong

feelings in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG'S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO THE EEC

8. The EEC's textile agreement with Hong Kong preserved Hong

Kong's position as a major supplier to the European market.

Impossible to say whether the lower quotas in certain categories

accepted by Hong Kong to make room for new suppliers from poorer

countries have led to increased imports from developed countries.

/The

CONFIDENTIAL