TNAG-0972-FCO40-1191-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 139

CONFIDENTIAL

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Philippines Reprocessing Centre, Bettan

5.

Hong Kong are still considering whether to make a contribution to the Centre although they emphasised that it does not increase the total take off from Hong Kong. At the moment indeed they see it as simply keeping up the rate of American offtake.

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English Language Training and Familiarisation on Britain for Refugees

6. I discussed with Mr Davies recent correspondence with the Home Office about Hong Kong's suggestion that HMG should finance English language training in Hong Kong organised by the British Council. Mr Davies is inclined to accept the Home Office's argument that this would not be the best way of encouraging recruits for the UK. He would favour further examination of the Home Office's alternative idea of a general familiarisation course in Vietnamese. In addition he put in a plea for a regular updated low of information material to encourage refugees including:

a) letters from satisfied settlers in Britain;

Miteand is holding lamectin

The beaming this in mind is

sascity happen.

Voluntary agencies b) new photographs of people settled here. How effin home sie in hand

Would Mr Williamson please pursue this with the Home Office. I will be calling on Mr Head of the Home Office to pass on my general impressions and to see how they are getting on with the voluntary agencies.

Dup

Q

GM

ting

21.4

15.3

7 March 1980

CC

Mr Murray

Mr Stitt SEAD (W87)

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL