TNAG-0894-FCO40-1104-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 110

CONFIDENTIAL

would make sure that there were 2-3,000 takers.

On being

asked by the Governor, Mr. Birt said the UK criteria (which

should already be known to Immigration Department)" concentrated

on a desire to settle in Britain, marketable skills and the

movement of people in family units. He said there was no lack

of interest in the UK amongst volunteer agencies. Furthermore

there was in many places no problem about housing, since many

councils had empty housing but these were in areas where there was little employment and the councils concerned were not

anxious to advertise the availability of spare housing.

thought there was some danger of overkill if too much attention

was paid to promoting public interest in the refugee problem.

Mr. Woodroffe asked the Governor if there was

He

any problem about the Immigration Department in Hong Kong

dealing directly with the Home Office, The Governor said that there was no problem in direct communication. This already

occurred with many departments. But copies of all correspondence

should go to the FCO so they could keep in touch with what was

happening.

Finally, Mr. Woodroffe asked whether it would be

useful for him to visit Hong Kong later in the year. The

Governor said he would be very welcome. An ideal time would

be mid October.

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