TNAG-0941-FCO40-1160-Visit-by-Lord-Carrington--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-1980 — Page 61

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CONFIDENTIAL

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 26-29 SEPTEMBER 1980

BRIEF NO 9: DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR OFFICIALS:

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

POINTS TO MAKE

HONG KONG'S EFFORT

1. Great admiration in the UK, and internationally, for Hong

Kong's humane attitude towards refugees.

UK POSITION

2.

Intend to fulfil our commitment to take 10,000 refugees as

soon as possible, although shortage of permanent accommodation

for them in the UK has resulted in a slowing down of offtake this

Nevertheless, Home Office team should have completed

all selections under the 10,000 quota by the middle of October.

FRESH QUOTA

summer.

3. [If asked about a further UK quota] Ministers will be

considering this and other matters concerning our policy on

Vietnamese refugees later in the year. Will, of course, take

Hong Kong's position very much into account.

optimistic. Cash will be a big problem.

But cannot be

CONFIDENTIAL