TNAG-0973-FCO40-1192-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 7

82

ALSO AT

HKK 34111 01613

CONFIDENTIAL

Notes of Meeting held at Government House

on Saturday 29th November 1980

28011

01114

Only Present:

20411

HE The Governor

CS

FS

SHA

SNT

S for S

S for SS

S for I

PA

PS/GH

НКК 24314

Pl. enter separality хралату

Mr R D Clift

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NJ. 51

15 DEC 1980

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

No MS

PA

19:12

RESTRY Action Taken

Pa:2| Awial

+ consider

further actin

Dulz

Vietnamese Refugees

Mr Davies outlined the present position and forecast that by the end of December 1980, 21,000 refugees would remain in Hong Kong. Off-take for the first quarter was estimated at 7,000 and for the second 6,000 which, allowing for arrivals, would leave around 12,000 by mid 1981. At the current rate of 400 departures per month, the UK quota would be exhausted by May 1981. felt that he could hold off US and Canadian pressure until January as the former would be pre-occupied with their English language teaching programine, but beyond that he

was not confident.

2.

He

In talks with Mr Clift, he had established that a month should be allowed for any submission to Ministers through Lord Carrington. An examination of the figures showed the UK share of the off-take was a consistent 16% and on

this basis the minimum bid should be for 2,000. The Governor said that this should exclude ship rescues for which there was a reserve of 500 in the existing quota. Mr Davies said that perhaps the Home Office would agree to this reserve being used for ordinary resettlement.

/3...

CONFIDENTIAL