TNAG-1418-FCO40-1901-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 69

From The Minister of State

Richard Luce MP

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

06 JUN 1985

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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3 June 1985

SCORRI

Dean Willie

Walme

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Thank you for your letter of 16 May enclosing a letter from Ms Jill Reynolds of 9 Meridian Vale, Clifton, Bristol about the report on Refugees and Asylum by the Sub-Committee on Race Relations and Immigration.

As I said during the two recent Adjournment Debates on the problem of Indo-Chinese refugees we are considering the report very carefully, and will reply to Parliament as soon as possible. As I am sure you will understand, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on the Committee's recommendations in advance of this reply.

I would however like to stress the point which I made in both Debates about the refugees who are currently in Hong Kong: having 5600 refugees in closed camps and an equal number in open ones is a situation which no Minister can consider satisfactory or desirable. We are anxious to find durable solutions for all the refugees as quickly as possible.

The specific question of admission to the UK of refugees with relatives in this country is of course a matter for the Home Office. I am therefore copying our correspondence to David Waddington in case he wishes to comment.

I enclose copies of the speeches which I made in the two Debates. You may like to pass these to Ms Reynolds. I am returning the enclosures to your letter, copies of which have been retained for our files.

William Waldegrave Esq MP

House of Commons

LONDON

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