TNAG-0937-FCO40-1156-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1980 — Page 30

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CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY AO. 51T 11 NOV 1980

DESK OFMCER

INDEX

PA

MEETING BETWEEN THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG : 5 NOVEMBER 1980

Present

NW

KCMG MC

Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO

Sir E Youde KCMG MBE

Mr G G H Walden

Mr R D Clift

The Rt Hon The Lord Carrington

56

Mr R M J Lyne

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

1. Lord Carrington said that it would be very difficult to

secure agreeemnt on a fresh quota by the UK for boat people in Hong Kong. The climate in the UK, with over 2 million, unemployed, was very unfavourable.

2. Sir M MacLehose said that this was the most important of the relatively small problems which he faced. He would be in deep trouble if there were no new British quota. The Americans would be likely to reduce or even stop their quota and other countries could follow suit. The worst course would be for HMG to say that there would be no further programme. At the very least, what was needed was a formula with a

statement that the programme would continue and perhaps that a Home Office team would go to examine the situation. If possible, a figure of, say, 5,000 should be mentioned (as an upper limit including boat rescues) but it was not necessary to be too precise on this. The problem could be solved with a

comparatively small future commitment by HMG.

3.

Lord Carrington said that he would speak to the Home Secretary before the Governor saw Mr Whitelaw on 6 November. He was sure there would be no problem in avoiding any statement that there would be no further British programme. He realised the Governor needed more than that and he would do his best.

But it would be very difficult.

DISTRIBUTION:

PS PS/LPS

PS/Mr Blaker PS/PUS

Sir E Youde

Mr Donald

HKGD

SEAD

MVD

Governor of Hong Kong

CONFIDENTIAL

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