TNAG-0971-FCO40-1190-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1980 — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL

kt. Hon. David Lnnels asked whether the joint ventures in China were doing well and whether there were many of them. The Governor replied that there were sizeable venture in Beijing and Shanghai and across the borde? in Guangdong a large number of smaller ones. Progre 3s was being made, albeit slowly, but he believed the general developments were beneficial to both sides.

Mr. Torney asked for the Governor's views on the revised defence costs and whether the Volunteers were helping out on border duty. In reply, the Governor said that the recent negotiated agreement had simply brought costs into line with actual expenditure by HG and he regarded the new agreement as fair and reasonable. The Governor went on to explain that the Volunteers were playing a full part in anti-legal operations and on several occasions the Hong Kong Regiment had been totally mobilised to deal with particularly difficult periods.

The

Lady Vickers raised a point which she had mentioned on previous occasions concerning an offer by Belize to take 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. Governor pointed out that this had been pursued but it had not been practical to proceed. Sir Murray suggested that if Lady Vickers had any further information he would be pleased to have it.

Mr. Favitt asked whether America, Australia or other Commonwealth Countries were reluctant to help in re- settling Vietnamese refugees from fong Kong. In answer the Governor said that it was important that the American programme of resettlement should continue to apply to hong hong. There was a chance that the U.S. would continue to take 1,500 a month from Hong Kong but there was a danger that they would stop this programme unless the UK was seen to continue to be playing its part.

Mr. Roper asked whether there was adequate accommodation for the increased size of the garrison. The Governor replied that there were ood barracks and quarters in Sek Kong and Stanley and the Hong Kong Government had undertaken a building programme of 20m in order to cope with reprovisioning of barrack accommodation for the services.

The meeting closed with Sir Paul Bryan thanking Sir Murray for his attendance.

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