TNAG-0894-FCO40-1104-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 293

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CONFIDENTIAL

2

DSR 11C

callous and inhumane policies which are the root cause of the problem.

The Government have given very careful consideration to the extent of the humanitarian problems raised, and in

particular to the appalling burden which is being placed

on the resources of the Government of Hong Kong. We have

decided that it would be in the best traditions of this

country for the Government to inform the United Nations

High Commissioner for Refugees that the United Kingdom is

prepared to accept a further 10,000 refugees from Indo-

China for settlement here. Because of our direct concern

for the situation in llong Kong, these extra refugees will be taken from the 64,000 who are presently awaiting

resettlement in Hong Kong. My Rt Hon Friend the Home

Secretary is getting in touch with the voluntary agencies who have played such a. commendable role in helping with the

resettlement of the refugees who have already arrived in

the United Kingdom. I would like to take this opportunity

of recording again the Government's gratitude to the

voluntary agencies for the splendid work which they do in

this field.

*

The Government have also decided to make a further contri-

bution of £5 million to the funds of the, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees specifically earmarked for use in his South East Asian operations over the next 12 months. //I shall myself attend the opening session of the Secretary General's meeting in Geneva on 20 July. For the remainder

of the meeting my Hon Friend the Minister of State,

Mr Blaker, will lead our delegation.

I can assure Noble

Lords that we shall play a full and constructive role in Geneva.

CONFIDENTTAT,

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