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CONFIDENTIAL
of a mercy ship finding many refugees. In other words, the presence of a mercy ship would encourage people to go to their deaths. He hoped that those concerned might be diverted and encouraged to undertake more practical schemes such as assisting agencies in Hong Kong and elsewhere.
In discussion, it was agreed that it would be useful for Sir Murray MacLehose to talk to Sir Leslie Kirkley and Mr Bradman. It was also agreed that the Home Office would in future lead on this aspect of the refugee question and I have transferred to the Home Office Mr Cartledge's letter of 10 July, together with our draft reply.
The Home Office had prepared the attached Notes for Supplementaries for use by the Secretary of State and the Lord Privy Seal tomorrow. It seems to me that the first and second paragraphs perhaps say more than we would like at this stage, but that we might, subject to your views, use the third paragraph which effectively includes the point made by Sir Murray MacLehose.
17 July 1979
cc: PS
PS/LPS
PS/Mr Blaker PS/PUS
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Flower (SEAD) Mr McLaren (HKGD) Mr Fenn (News) Planning Staff PUSD
Parliamentary Unit
CONFIDENTIAL
Shall
(J S Wall)
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