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5. There are three additional points. The JCVR, through the Home Office, are asking the UNHCR's representative here whether the latter couldpost a 'counsellor' to Hong Kong. The idea would be to provide advice for refugees, before they have been selected for a particular country, on the various options available individually to them. This seems a good idea. Apparently there is no-one at present on the UNHCR staff in Hong Kong who has this particular responsibility. You may wish to encourage the proposal at your end.
6. We have found out from the Home Office that there is likely to be a temporary slow-down in the offtake of refugees to this country during July and August. This will be due to the traditional shortage of vacant council housing over the summer holidays. The Home Office have assured us that they will try to compensate for this lull by taking more in the preceding and following months. In any case it remains their aim to take the whole quota of 10,000 by the end of the year.
7. Finally, we had hoped that Mr Bao, the ex-Mayor of Saigon, would again be able to accompany the next Home Office selection team, who are expected to visit Hong Kong in the first week of June. Mr Bao's last visit was an obvious success and he clearly produced results. Unfortunately, because of UK cash limits, the Home Office cannot meet his costs this time. The Hong Kong Government met the cost of his accommodation and other expenses in Hong Kong during his last visit. In the circumstances, would it be possible for Hong Kong to meet all the costs, including his return fare, this time?
AM
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
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