TNAG-1015-FCO40-1265-Quarterly-progress-reports-on-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 65

機密

CONFIDENTIAL

bject

Purpose

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Progress made and Present Position

become more forthcoming in responding to resettlement offers.

d) Since mid-June all refugees arriving in

small boats are detained at JRC to facilitate processing their cases for the US resettlement programme. Those who fail to meet the US criteria are transferred to open camps whilst those who qualify will wait at JRC for the next available US language training and cultural orientation course (IESL).

e) The US IESL course at ARG 4 has been running

satisfactorily. By the end of July, 8,437 refugees have completed the course whilst 3,028 are presently on the course.

Next Quarter's Target

d) To work with UNHCR to

achieve speedy submission of cases to the US Refugee Programme.

e) The building in which the

Refugee Division, UNHCR Main Office, JVA, ICM and US Consulate Resettlement Office are located is due for demolition in early 1982. A study is being undertaken regarding the reprovisioning of office accommodation for these organisations, by the end of December 1981.

4. British

Nationality Bill 1981

(SCR 39/2091/72)

5. Identity

Cards & ROP

cords R1/1486/81)

To safeguard the interests of Hong Kong and its

citizens.

a) To replace the

present form of identity card by a smaller and more secure card.

Bill as amended passed Third Reading in House of Commons on 4.6.81. Committee stage in House of Lords completed 28.7.81 and amendment passed to give Gibraltar citizens entitlement to register as British Citizens. Parliamentary processing of Bill resumes on 6.10.81.

a) At its meeting on 7th July ExCo endorsed the proposal that all current ID cards should be replaced over a 4 year period by a more secure ID card.

To make further representations to underline "Britishness" of Hong Kong CBDTs.

a) To secure Finance Committee

approval for funds by late August in order that the Re-issue could start on 1st May 1982.

機密

CONFIDENTIAL