TNAG-0973-FCO40-1192-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 16

CONFIDENTIAL

ESSENTIAL FACTS

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG:

HONG KONG'S EFFORT

1. Still nearly 37,000 refugees from Vietnam in Hong Kong. Now

shelters 40% of all boat people in region. But off take from Hong

(In first 6 months of 1980 77% came from other

Kong still slowest.

countries only 23% from Hong Kong).

UK POSITION

2. Britain agreed at Geneva in 1979 to accept 10,000 refugees.

Hong Kong authorities concerned at HMG's performance in resettlement.

Rate has fallen because of shortage of accommodation in UK. But

quota should be fully taken by March 1981.

3. Home Office team will complete final selection of quota by mid-

Allowance will bemade for about 500 refugees rescued by

October.

British flag-carriers. This accords with a Cabinet decision in 1979,

but this was not made public at the time.

could be sensitive in Hong Kong

FRESH QUOTA

Governor believes issue

4. By end of 1980 will still be 25,000 refugees in Hong Kong, with

very few in other countries in region. Governor believes an

additional UK quota will be neessary. Without it US programme of

resettlement likely to be reduced. He suggests quota of 5,000 for

Cost will be a serious constraint on this.

one year.

programme at present costs £5 million per annum.

Resettlement

5. Governor very reluctant to seek funds from Legislative

Council to meet cost of additional resettlement in UK. He suggests

however that costs might be reduced by a Hong Kong funded language

and orientation course which would reduce time spent by refugees in

UK resettlement centres.

Hong Kong and General Department September 1980

CONFIDENTIAL