TNAG-0895-FCO40-1105-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 260

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Mr Meray

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مجھرجھ

HKK 243/1

1432

CONFIDENTIAL.

Letter to

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MP'S LETTER: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

Problem

1. To reply to a letter from Sir Geoffrey Howe MP with which

he enclosed one from his constituent, Mr R C Thornton.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that the Secretary of State reply along the

lines of the attached draft.

Background

see (1578)

3. Mr Thornton, a business man who spends part of his time in Hong Kong, wrote to the Daily Telegraph in much the same

terms as his letter to Sir G Howe. Mr Nigel Buxton's letter,

published in the Telegraph on 19 July provided an effective rejoinder. Mr Thornton has also offered a large sum of money

to the Save the Children Fund to hire a ship to rescue refugees

at sea.

The Save the Children Fund have no wish to encourage

mercy ships and are hoping to persuade Mr Thornton that his money might be better employed in providing help for refugees in

Hong Kong.

4.

I am sorry that this reply has been delayed.

Raghun

RJT McLaren

20 July 1979

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL

R.J. Shatten

20

обиву