TNAG-0971-FCO40-1190-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1980 — Page 18

G.F. 326

Present:

CONFIDENTIAL #≈

U.K. Vietnamese Resettlement Programme Notes of Discussion with Mr. Clift on 28.11.1980

S for S

Mr. Clift HKGD/FCO /

S for I

D of I DS(S) PAS(S)R

S for S said that the meeting was to discuss the timing and content for an approach to the F.C.O. for a further resettlement quota for refugees in Hong Kong.

Forecast of Departures and Arrivals

2.

S for S explained the note (attached) giving a forecast of 7,200 departures between 1.1.81 and 31.3.81 and 6,400 departures between 1.4.81 and 30.6.81. Taking into account an estimated arrival of 1,500 during the first quarter and 3,000 during the second quarter of 1981, the refugee population (excluding ex-China Cases) would reduce to about 15,500 by 1.4.1981 and to about 12,000 by 1.7.1981.

3.

S for S also gave the relative percentages of the number of refugees taken by the main resettlement countries from Hong Kong as follows :-

U.S.A.

Canada

U.K.

1979

1980

499%

20%

16%

56%

19%

16%

1981 - 1st quarter

62%

12%

17%

(estimated)

-

2nd quarter

70%

146

6%* (1)

(estimated)

Note (1)

If the 500 places reserved for ship rescues could also be utilized, this increased the figure to 14%.

The U.K. component had remained at a fairly steady 16%. Applying this percentage to the estimated number remaining in Hong Kong at 1.7.1981, (i.e. 12,000 refugees), would produce a figure of 1,920 refugees. On this basis a quota of 2,000 was justified.

4.

Of the present U.K. quota, 8,612 places had already been filled. After deducting the 500 places reserved for ship rescues, a balance of 1,880 places remained. The average rate of departure over the last 4 months was 402. At this rate, it would be well into March/ April 1980 before the current quota was completed. D of I confirmed that at this rate of departure, the list of refugees accepted for resettlement to U.K. would run out by end-March 1981. Should there be further quota to fill, the Home Office Team would have to come out in February/March to conduct another selection exercize in order to avoid a break in the flow of departures unless a proposal that the Immigration Department select refugees for the U.K. was accepted.

CONFIDENTIAL # 3

/Situation

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