CONFIDENTIAL
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR OFFICIALS:
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : ESSENTIAL FACTS
1.
Number of refugees in Hong Kong awaiting resettlement
now below 19,000. This does not include those who had settled
in China, entered Hong Kong illegally and are to be repatriated
to China. There are some signs, however, of a renewed outflow
from Vietnam.
2. Cabinet has agreed to exclude all refugees rescued by UK
registered ships from quota of 10,000 agreed at Geneva.
It
was always publicly assumed in Hong Kong that ship rescues
would be excluded. Home Office team in Hong Kong will therefore
select additional 700. It is now expected that quota will not be
filled until mid-summer. This will give more time to consider
issue of small additional UK quota.
NEW QUOTA
3.
Governor has suggested a new UK quota of perhaps 250 per
month until end of 1981, in order to encourage USA and Canada.
to continue their resettlement programmes. Governor discussed
this with the Secretary of State during his visit to London in
March and agreed that Secretary of State should raise subject
with colleagues after visit to Hong Kong. Political conditions
not favourable. Prime Minister has said she would take a good
deal of convincing that it would be right' to take even a very
modest additional quota. Governor has suggested that Hong Kong
might help finance Ockenden Venture reception centres to keep them
open for sponsored refugees.
Hong Kong and General Department
March 1981
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.