Conscituency.
The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, QC, MP,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, 11 Downing Street,
London SWI
Broadham End, Broadham Green,
Oxted, Surrey
3 August 1979
Dear Sir Geoffrey,
Thank you very much for your letter of 26 July and for so kindly sending me Lord Carrington's letter to you of 20 July, together with its enclosures. I am extremely grateful to you for all the trouble you have taken.
Recent events in the shape of the tragic loss of life as a result of Typhoon Hope show that, despite the great efforts being made by all in Hong Kong, further and more diligent steps should be taken. It is most heartening to learn that other nations have now sent ships to sea to try and save these tragic people. It seems to me a matter of regret that the British Government has not participated in any shape or form in this necessary humanitarian exercise. Whilst I was awaiting a reply to my letter to His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong, I became in touch with Mr Jean Heidler, representative in the UK and Ireland of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He asked me what I thought could be done in Hong Kong itself if, as he feared it proves impossible to arrange for all the refugees from Vietnam to be resettled outside Hong Kong.
With some diffidence, and in great haste, I prepared the enclosed plan for a Corporation to be established with funds raised both locally and overseas. Despite my haste, and in re-reading the plan after my return from holiday, it appears to me that the plan is sound and I would welcome your comments. You will see that I have constructed the Corporation ambivalently to favour neither Vietnamese nor Hong Kong residents. With employment so full in Hong Kong the sheer provision of more jobs in the absolute should be helpful.
Again, may I thank you personally very much for taking such an interest in the views that I have put forward: and may I hope that perhaps you will feel able go give a delicate push in favour of my plan for a Development Corporation which would be of benefit not only to the refugees from Vietnam but to other citizens in Hong Kong.
Yours sincerely,
Rich Mul
R C Thornton
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