CONFIDENTIAL
-3-
b) The numbers are considerable.
Any major influx of
children is bound to represent a severe strain on
Hong Kong's social, educational, housing and other
resources. (If pressed on Hong Kong's comparative
wealth: This is not a matter of cash but of limited
space, staff and other resources in already overcrowded
conditions).
c) Where children are intercepted on first entry, it would
be impracticable to check up on all their stories with
any confidence that the truth would be established.
Knowledge that enquiries would be made in each case would
encourage the traffickers in child running to step up
their efforts.
d) Where children 'get to base' and establish themselves
with a family, their position must obviously be checked.
It is right that the Hong Kong Government should have
legal power to send back those who do not have reasonable
criteria for family reunion. But the Hong Kong Government
will conduct their examinations very carefully, taking
into account all the circumstances of the whole family.
e) In all cases the arrangements for the return of children
will of course be properly conducted with full regard
for their age with the cooperation of the Chinese
authorities.
f) (If pressed on comparisons with British practice) While
arrangements exist for orderly family reunion, we do not
CONFIDENTIAL
/accept
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