TNAG-1011-FCO40-1261-Government-business--debates-and-early-day-motions-on-intern-1981 — Page 8

-2-

There is no evidence to suggest these immigrants are refugees from

persecution of any kind, or that they will be maltreated after

repatriation to China. Children who enter Hong Kong illegally are

liable to repatriation in view of population pressures in Hong Kong

and to discourage trafficking in them. Illegal immigrant mothers

↑

who give birth are also liable to repatriation. All cases are

considered individually by Hong Kong authorities.

The MacLennan Inquiry

6. Mr Justice Yang, the Commission investigating the circumstances

surrounding the death of Inspector MacLennan, has presented his

report. He found that the Inspector had committed suicide. This

is a matter for the Hong Kong Government on which it would not be

appropriate to comment.

Vietnamese Refugees

7. Her Majesty's Government recognises the difficulties caused by

the continued presence of refugees in Hong Kong. The UK have already

accepted some 11,000 refugees for resettlement, including almost

10,000 of quota we agreed in 1979. We are continuing to consider

for resettlement close relatives of refugees already accepted for

resettlement here, and refugees rescued by British-registered ships.

We are also continuing to represent Hong Kong's case to third

countries and to international organisations.

Some 80,000 Vietnamese

refugees have been resettled from Hong Kong since 1976.

[If pressed] I can hold out little hope of another UK quota

at this stage.

Nationality Law

8.

Hong Kong expressed concern about some of the provisions

of the Act. The Government made amendments to the Bill towards

allaying this. These include discretionary powers for the

updali

/registration