TNAG-0971-FCO40-1190-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1980 — Page 206

HKCK 243/2

KALIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

19 MAR 1980

238-4381

UNCLASSIFIED

DESK OFFICER INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

Ля

JL Goddard Esq

Jm.4

나

AW 2211

Home Office

Queen Anne's Gate

LONDON SW1

RD 1/79 13/23/40

HKK 243/2

18 March 1980

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: ON BRTTAIN

LANGUAGE TRAINING AND FAMILIARISATION

1. In Patrick Williamson's absence, I am replying to your letter of 12 February on the question of English language training for Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong organised by the British Council.

2.

As Dick Clift told Michael Head on 12 March, he discussed this with the Secretary for Security in Hong Kong during a rocent visit. Lavies is not inclined to dispute the argument, set out in your letter, that the English language scheme would not be the best way of encouraging recruits for the UK or of making their resettlement easier.

3. However, Davies expressed an interest in your alternative proposal of a general familiarisation course in Vietnamese. should, therefore, like to take up your offer of a meeting to discuss the feasibility of such a programme and how it might be funded. I agree that DES and JCRV should also be invited to attend the meeting and I can confirm that the Hong Kong Government Office would wish to be represented.

I

4. On a related point, I might add that Davies put in a parti- cular plea for a regular flow of information material to encourage refugees interested in resettlement in the UK. This would include:

(a) letters from satisfied settlers in Britain; and (b) new photographs of people settled here.

Do you have the material to meet this request? If so, perhaps it could be considered at the meeting which you will presumably now wish to go ahead and arrange.

cc:

HKGO

P Morrice

Hong Kong and General Department

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