TNAG-1417-FCO40-1900-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 133

2.

A third consideration relates to the sharing of the burden internationally of resettling IndoChinese refugees. Australia regards such burden-sharing as essential.

It follows from the above considerations that Australia is concerned that the United Kingdom has effectively ceased taking

The policy refugees from Hong Kong for resettlement in Britain.

and practice of the United Kingdom in the resettlement effort has a bearing on resettlement of Indo-Chinese refugees from Hong Kong in Australia. While the allocation by Australia of places for Indo-Chinese refugees from countries of first refuge for

the program year from 1 July 1984 to 30 June 1985 is substantially in place, the program retains the flexibility to adjust to development through the year. The Australian Government would certainly take any resumption of the resettlement of Indo-Chinese refugees in Britain into very careful account in considering the Australian

A decision by the program for the next program year 1985-1986. United Kingdom to resume resettlement would undoubtedly be regarded as a most postive development.

On a wider basis and taking into account the position of the United States on the resettlement of Indo-Chinese refugess from Hong Kong, it would seem that a renewed commitment by the United Kingdom to resettlement of Indo-Chinese refugees from Hong Kong would be a pre-condition for any co-ordinated international effort to address the Hong Kong situation.

I hope that the above answers the

issue which you have raised with us. The information may be used freely and attributed to the Australian Government.

Your sencenty

Darons

(A.R. Parsons)

Mr D.J. Gerhold,

Clerk to the Sub-Committee on

Race Relations and Immigration, House of Commons, LONDON. SW1A OAA

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