TNAG-1423-FCO40-1906-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 167

CONFIDENTIAL

i

taking them back, and providing assurances that those concerned would not be maltreated. Mr Luce said that he understood that the SCORRI was likely to recommend that more relatives should be allowed to join Vietnamese immigrants already settled in Britain. Would this help? Sir E Youde said that, while he welcomed any move to alleviate the problem, he feared that a modest increase in arrivals in Britain would not produce the increase in admissions to other countries which was the only alternative to measures to prevent arrivals from Vietnam. You suggested that it was worth talking to the Vietnamese Government, but that the Vietnamese authorities were unlikely to provide adequate assurances about the treatment of illegal immigrants who were sent back.

Since time was short, Sir E Youde agreed to call again on 23 January to discuss the future role of the Governor, the JLG, and any other outstanding matters.

7.

The sumacot

PJ Westmacott PS/MR LUCE

CONFIDENTIAL