TNAG-0972-FCO40-1191-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

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an approach at the political level would do no harm. However,

our record over the region is not as good as the FRG's. The

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' statistics for

cumulative acceptances of Indo-Chinese refugees since the outflow

from Vietnam began show that up to the end of May the FRG had

There is no prospect

taken 13,750 against our intake of 9,500.

An approach by the Secre-

of increasing the UK's quota at present.

tary of State could well invite criticism of the British effort.

5. We have, of course, been lobbying regularly in European

and other capitals on Hong Kong's behalf and will continue to do

so, but it is a fact that our limited performance has weakened

our case. There is certainly no prospect of a new British quota

being agreed at present.

6.

I have not submitted until now because we were awaiting

the Governor's comments on Sir Oliver Wright's letter.

These

D

are contained in Hong Kong telegram No 807. They do not in the

event add substantially to the argument.

2 July 1980

cc Mr Burns SEAD

Бир

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

CONFIDENTIAL