TNAG-1068-FCO40-1318-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1981 — Page 151

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10 February 1981. 1 fox (614

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Mr Aust.

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Dear Michael,

When we spoke about the Vietnamese refugees on the 'Texaco Bombay', you asked for the current position on the Hong Kong quota.

As we understand the position, in round figures some 8,400 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong have now arrived in Britain under the 10,000 quota announced in July 1979. Over the same period, some 600 have arrived as a result of rescues by British-registered shipping, and there are guarantees outstanding for about another 150.

Although we are, therefore, approaching exhaustion of the quota, there are still at least two to three months of further movements from Hong Kong to go before we shall have done so.

Lord Carrington intends to review the position in Hong Kong (where there are still over 20,000 Vietnamese refugees), during his visit at the end of March. On his return he will give his colleagues an assessment of the situation.

I am copying this to Stephen Boys-Smith in the Home Secretary's Office, and to Stuart Hampson in the Department of Trade.

Yours ever

Roderic Lyne

(R MJ Lyne) Private Secretary

M O'D B Alexander Esq 10 Downing St