I wonder therefore if you would consider increasing density in reception camps in the UK or creating more, or by other means speeding up the UK off-take for the rest of the year?
There are UK domestic and political considerations which I mention with some diffidence as they are really your affair. But before Sir Ian Gilmour and Lord Carrington announced the 10,000 programme I was pressed hard by Labour MPs headed by David Ennals, but including Peter Shore, on whether I thought the UK programme adequate. I was able to satisfy them because the numbers were what the UNHCR had asked for, and I said that I was absolutely satisfied that HMG were sincere about getting on with things as quickly as they reasonably could. As you know the question of timing was not raised in any questions. But I know they are still interested, and if only 1500 of the programme have been moved between July and December they are bound to get restive, and even more so if it becomes known that the US and Canada have held back because of it. I realise there are contrary arguments relating to the Powellite attitudes, and in any case this is not an argument I wish pushed too hard.
We are looking forward to your visit in October and hope to be able to fix up an accelerated programme for the rest of the year. The real object of this letter is to give you warning in the hope that you will be able to clear the way for it.
J
sending
Hugh Cortage
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Its litt t
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