TNAG-1424-FCO40-1907-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 18

CONFIDENTIAL

H

-

climate for this is now slightly better: SCORRI is likely to

recommend that a more forthcoming attitude be adopted on family

reunion cases when it reports in April. There are 400 500 such

cases. There is considerable support, even from the right, for the

thesis that we should do more to help Hong Kong. There is some

evidence that the Home Office

the Home Office are beginning to adopt a more

posture.

8.

flexible

cases

However while a decision to admit the family reunion

would undoubtedly be helpful, we do not think that it would be

sufficient on a long term basis to persuade other resettlement

countries to continue taking larger numbers from Hong Kong. A one

off gesture is likely to be largely forgotten within a couple of

years. What is needed is a continuing offtake by the UK. Clearly

any figure for such an offtake is somewhat arbitrary: but

is that to strengthen our arm adequately in dealing with other

resettlement countries, a figure of the order of 500 a year is

necessary.

our view

#

H

9.

A decision to take such a number

number on a continuing basis will

not be an easy one for HMG. Resettlement of Vietnamese in this

country is difficult, and there is a high rate of unemployment among

them. Nevertheless we believe that it is the key to unlocking the

resettlement problem, and that failure to unlock it will bring very

much worse consequences. We therefore believe that the case for a

continuing offtake should be pressed initially with the Home

and later if necessary in Cabinet Committee.

Secretary,

10.

do not

Of the other options for increasing resettlement

believe that voluntary repatriation to Vietnam or regional integration offer any prospect of success. Local absorption in Hong

Kong might be a possibility for a small number, but only if the rate

of arrivals can be drastically reduced.

Decreasing arrivals

11.

Of the identified options, towing out to sea is clearly

unacceptable. Screening new arrivals would be more likely to hinder

CONFIDENTIAL