TNAG-0898-FCO40-1108-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 206

DRAFT

Some 1,700 refugees were called forward in the course of September for

onward travel to the UK as soon as transport arrangements could be made

at the Hong Kong end. About 200 arrived in September and we very much

hope that ICEM will be able to ensure, in the light of the notice they

have been given, that the remaining 1,400-1,500 arrive by the end of

October. We are also calling forward a further approximately 500

refugees this week in time (subject to transport arrangements being made)

for them to arrive in November. Every effort will be made at the UK

end to call forward the refugees as soon as there is reasonable certainty

that the necessary accommodation is available. However, it is obviously

very desirable that ICEM should be able to respond reasonably promptly

(ie within three or four weeks of call forward). We think it would be

helpful if ICEM could arrange a charter (at their expense) for December.

Indeed, there is a good case for using more charter flights, but we

understand that ICEM have resisted these on grounds of cost.