TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 232

I

CONFIDENTIAL

-3-

though so far these have had no effect: the figures for legal

immigrants remain virtually unchanged, while the figures for

illegals are actually worse (though this may be in anticipation

of new Chinese measures which are confidently expected to come into

effect this month). The Governor may wish to suggest that we should

soon impose controls on legal immigration on the Hong Kong side

(which we have hitherto refrained from doing in deference to the

Chinese view that Chinese people have a traditional right of

uncontrolled access to Hong Kong). We shall need to consult

Sir Murray

HM Ambassador, Peking, before any decision is taken.

may also be able to suggest some new initiative on illegals if the

expected new measures do not soon begin to take effect.

Vietnamese Refugees

6. The problem of Vietnamese boat people also remains serious

for Hong Kong. Over 73,000 arrived during 1979, and only one-third

of that number were resettled. As the Secretary of State will be

aware, the Home Secretary has recently recommended to the Prime

Minister that we should complete the programme for bringing 10,000

Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong to the UK by the end of the next

financial year. This represents a considerable acceleration of the

original programme of taking them over 3 years, and will no doubt be

very welcome news to the Governor, who attaches importance to the

UK's setting the pace for other resettlement countries. The Governor

may also welcome a reassurance that we will continue wherever possible

to press other countries to give appropriate priority to Hong Kong

in their resettlement programmes.

•

CONFIDENTIAL

17.