CONFIDENTIAL
2.
in the drug traffic. We have no evidence that it is a serious problem now, but it could become so.
With our existing camp accommodation in this country and making reasonable projections of housing offers, I think we could complete our obligations to the UN by the end of 1980 or March 1981 at the latest.
This means financial provision of £6.2 for 1980/81. If we stick to 3,000 refugees for the next financial year the cost would still be well over $4M as far as I can judge and, of course, something like the same sum for 1981/82. By deliberately
going slow we would also stir up hostility in all kinds of quarters - the USA and Canada, the UNHCR and Hong Kong, the voluntary organisations here and some of our supporters, as well as the Opposition.
I propose that we should agree to aim to admit the remainder of the 10,000 Vietnamese refugees by March 1981.
I am sending a copy of this minute to the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and to Sir Robert Armstrong.
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December 1979
CONFIDENTEN
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