E.R.
The British Council for Aid to Refugees have called forward 655 refugees
from Hong Kong between 4 September and 11 September with the aim of
ensuring that they arrive during the course of this month or very early
in October. This is in addition to the 277 refugees from the 1,500 quota
which arrived in the UK between February and end-August. You will already
be aware of Home Office plans for the rate of intake between October-December
which will be reviewed further in the light of the Governor's letter
to Woodfield of 31 August. The Home Office are concerned that once the
refugees have been called forward there should be no hold-up in the rate of
arrival caused by any bottle-neck in the transport arrangements.
These are
in the hands of the local ICEM officials who ought to be aware of the
proposed programme. We suggest, however, that it would do no harm to
remind them, at your end, of the importance of avoiding any hold-up.
We are considering whether an approach should be made to ICEM headquarters in Geneva on the matter.]
Page 45Page 46
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.