TNAG-1524-FCO40-2088-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 176

5. WE ARE, OF COURSE, WELL AWARE THAT DELAYS ARE NOT (NOT) DELIBERATE. THIS PIECE OF CONVOLUTED LOGIC CAME OUT DURING ONE OF THE FREQUENT INFORMAL MEETINGS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAIN RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES. ONE OF THE AMERICANS MADE THE SUGGESTION. HOWEVER, WE DOUBT WHETHER HE WAS MAKING AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT AND WHETHER HE WAS DOING MORE THAN FLYING A KITE. IN VIEW OF THE STRONG SUPPORT WE ARE RECEIVING FROM THE AMERICANS ON VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE CASES WHICH END UP IN THE PHILIPPINES, THE AMALGAMATION OF THE TWO OPEN CENTRES AND RESETTLEMENT IN GENERAL WE WOULD PREFER THAT YOU DO NOT (NOT) TAKE ANY ACTION. WE HAVE EMPHASISED THE SERIOUSNESS OF HMG'S POLICY AND ATTRIBUTED THE DELAYS TO TEETHING TROUBLES. A STEADY FLOW OF 40 REFUGEES A MONTH TO UK WILL STILL FURTHER

REINFORCE THIS LINE.

YOUDE

MINIMAL

HKD

SEAD,

COPIES TO:

HKGO LONDON,

HEBDON,

HOME OFFICE LUNAR

•

MR

2-

HOUSE