TNAG-0881-FCO40-1091-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 90

DSR 11C

IF THE TUNG AN SAILS FOR HONG KONG, WILL THE AUTHORITIES THERE ALLOW THOSE ON BOARD TO DISEMBARK?

3. I do not believe they would but that would be a

matter for the Government of Hong Kong to decide.

WILL BRITAIN TAKE ANY REFUGEES FROM THE TUNG AN?

4.

To

We are considering applications from two families

of 20 people who have relatives here. We expect

soon to receive them into the United Kingdom.

their great credit the Hong Kong Government have

accepted 20 people from the Tung An and are considering

applications from a further 80.

+

HOW MANY MORE REFUGEES CAN HONG KONG ABSORB?

5. That depends on how quickly those who now have

temporary shelter there can be resettled elsewhere but

I must emphasise that Hong Kong is a small and over-

crowded territory. There are clearly limits to the

numbers who can be absorbed there.

HOW MANY REFUGEES ARE LIKELY TO SEEK SHELTER IN HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE?

6.

Impossible to say. Much depends on the attitudes

of the Vietnamese Government (whose harsh internal

policies are causing the refugees to flee) and of

the other territories in South East Asia which are on

the immediate receiving end of the exodus.

/BUT

Dd 0532000 400 M 5/78 HMSO Bracknell

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