TNAG-0972-FCO40-1191-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 129

Reference.

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Mr Morrice

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Mr Williamson

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VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

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My minute of 7 March. I called on Mr Head in the Home Office to discuss my visit. He reiterated the efforts that they are making to get some movement both from the voluntary agencies in Britain and from the local authorities to provide houses. The approach to these various bodies has to vary because their roles and records are somewhat different. The main problems are the Ockenden Venture among the agencies and the GLC among the local authorities. Home Office are moderately optimistic that Sir Arthur Peterson's approach to the GLC will get things moving. If it does not they will have to consider other measures. They are of course very limited in terms of cash but would not totally rule out some kind of additional subsidy to local authorities. If very pressed, eg towards the end of the year, they might go so far as to extend the places in reception camps beyond the apparent capacity of local authorities to absorb refugees; this would mean a much longer wait in reception camps but might be necessary in order to satisfy Hong Kong. However if the rate of offtake can be got back to about 800 a month most of the 10,000 should be out of Hong Kong by the end of the year.

2. We discussed the problem of the offtake directly from Vietnam. Mr Head has just received a paper which suggests that the number of people taken from Vietnam because of family connections may increase. This would be good in one sense but bad for Hong Kong in another since it would mean a reduction in the offtake from there. He stressed however that the problem was at the moment by no means clear. I said that if there was a significant reduction in the offtake from Hong Kong for this cause it certainly would cause difficulties. I hoped there could be consultation in which Hong Kong were involved if the numbers looked like becoming significant. Mr Head also asked What would be the reaction in Hong Kong if it were decided to meet

the Vietnamese demand that resettlement countries take people on their list. I said that Hong Kong would have mixed feelings. On the one hand they wanted departures from Vietnam to be carried out effectively in order to prevent a renewed flood but any subsequent reduction in immediate relief for Hong Kong itself would attract some criticism. Again consultation was necessary.

3. I mentioned that when in Hong Kong Dr Karl Stumpf of Christian Aid had urged that the British Government should agree to a further quota beyond the present 10,000. I had told Dr Stumpf that I did not think this was realistic at present and that we should concentrate on making sense of the current quota. Mr Head agreed that this was right although he clearly does see pressure for a renewed quota building up over the next year or so. So far there is absolutely no sign of give from No 10 on this issue. They are for instance still insisting that every sea rescue of refugees be counted against Hong Kong's allocation.

CODE 18-77

12 March 1980

cc Mr Stitt SEAD

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL