8.
[6]
Martin Barber (BRC) reported that Sir Arthur Peterson (Chairman, BRC) had written to David Waddington at the Home Office in May 1984, and again in September, requesting that there should be no enforced deporation of Tamil asylum-seekers and that they should be given Exceptional Leave to Remain. At present they were on temporary admission and could be deported at 12 hours notice.
Graeme Jackson informed the committee of a report in the "Tamil Times" of a declaration by the Sri Lankan Minister of National Security on 4th October, that any Tamil who had sought refugee status abroad and was returned would be arrested. This report caused concern among the committee, and it was agreed: to raise the issue. with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London; to write to the Commonwealth Secretary General and inform him of this report;
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to write to David Waddington to express the Committee's concern, which had been deepened by the report, and to request a positive response from the Home Office.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 It was agreed that a letter be sent to Sir Jack Cater, recently retired Hong Kong Commissioner in London, thanking for the support he has given to the Committee during his time in Office.
8.2 Two areas for discussion at the next meeting of the Asia Committee were requested: The Problems of Tamil Refugees in India; A report on the situation within Vietnam either from an agency working there or from refugees who had recently arrived from Vietnam.
A report on the situation in Vietnam would consider why Vietnamese were still leaving, and a study of the desirability of sending aid directly to Vietnam.
9.
Date of Next Meeting
It was agreed that the date of the next meeting would be:
Tuesday 19th March 1985
Dates for Asia Committee meetings in the remainder of 1985 were suggested as:
18th June 1985
17th September 1985
17th December 1985
All meetings would remain on Tuesdays and would start at 11.00 a.m.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.