CONFIDENTIAL
about
of the
SCORRI' refugees the
5. In response to a question by Mr Rawsthorne recommendation that Hong Kong should absorb some from open camps Mr Leeks explained that although HKG were beginning to accept that eventually this might have to happen, they would not be willing to agree to it until both the number in the camps and the flow from Vietnam had substantially
reduced.
6.
>
Mr Rawsthorne made the general point that the UK's immigration policy tended to be assessed
in
terms of statistics: any increase of say 1000 in overall annual resettlement figures was therefore very difficult politically.
1.
Mr Galsworthy said that the Secretary of State would be holding a office meeting to discuss the Hong Kong refugee problem on 8 May. After this the Secretary of State would probably write to the Home Secretary about a new UK intake. Mr Rawsthorne said that it should be possible for them to reach agreement without referring the matter to a Cabinet committee.
8.
On the possible use of resettlement in the UK, Mr
RPC Bataan for refugees accepted for Rawsthorne thought this would serve little purpose for the 500 family reunion cases.
However if a decision were taken to accept refugees without UK links on continuing basis, this might be worth looking into more closely.
a
2 May 1985
Cc: Mr Nash,
SEAD
Mr Cole, UND
Calla
Olivia Walker
Hong Kong Department 233 3988
CONFIDENTIAL
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