TNAG-0878-FCO40-1088-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 156

CONFIDENTIAL

8. The Home Office proposed that any 'small boat-people" picked up by

UK registered ships should take precedence and that the flow of the 1,500

should be held back whilst the boat people were absorbed. The voluntary

organisations could not be expected to cope with a sudden large influx.

FCO agreed. However there could be difficulty if a UK registered ship

joined the trade in refugees. If the first port of call refused to

accept them it would be difficult to maintain the distinction from "small

boat refugees" and the UK might be obliged to accept them. Efforts could

be made to phase their entry into the UK by arranging for them to be

retained temporarily in South East Asia, but this might not be possible.

9. The Home Office thought it was probably not necessary to discuss the

current proposal in the Official Committee on Community Relations and

Immigration. However, if the UK's commitments led to refugees entering

the country in such numbers that the Voluntary organisations were not able

to cope it would be necessary for the Committee to discuss the appropriate

action and submit proposals to Ministers collectively.

Conclusions

10. Treasury officials would consider whether to bring the proposal to the

notice of Treasury Ministers informing them that officials saw no objection

to the proposal on the understanding that the costs could be absorbed

within existing Home Office provision, but indicating the possible implications

for the contingency reserve:

a.

from the open-ended commitment to accept "small boat-people"

picked up by UK registered ships and the potential pressures

from the exodus in large trading vessels encouraged by

Vietnam Government,

b.

the

should voluntary organisations be unable or unwilling

to assist with reception and resettlement.

CONFIDENTIAL