TNAG-0886-FCO40-1096-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 56

CONFIDENTIAL

GGS

Mr Simpson-Orlebar

INDO-CHINA REFUGEES

HKK 243/fc Hkk

RECEIVED

31

DESK OPLIN

INDEX

No

PA

731.5

P

Mr Cortazzi Mr Leahy

Mr

Mr Flower, SEAD Mr McLaren, HK&GD

Arrangements for receiving any refugees in this country are controlled by an AUS in the Home Office, de Deney, telephone No. 213-5388, who is responsible for community programmes and equal opportunities. He is not directly concerned with drafting the Home Secretary's paper next week. He telephoned to-day to say that his main concern was not the 'Sibonga', refugees from which if we gave the appropriate assurances might not come for another month, but the 'Roachbank' approaching Taiwan. On the analogy of the 'Well Park', we would have to fulfil very quickly any guarantee to resettle refugees from Taiwan. However, there was no space available in London (last time, the Home Office used Kensington Barracks, but this is not possible now), and it will take about two weeks to refurbish a camp in Bournemouth even if the Treasury authorise the expenditure (£300,000) which they are not at present disposed to do. In short, Mr de Deney needs all the time we can give him before Roachbank' refugees start to arrive.

DAM.

DF Murray

24 May 1979

CONFIDENTIAL