TNAG-1525-FCO40-2089-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 150

Our Ref: (93) in VR/UK/PA/C

Your Ref: SCR 5/5701/77

Mr K Woodhouse

Principal Assistant Secretary

for Security

Security Branch

Government Secretariat

Lower Albert Road

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Government Office

香港政府駐英辦事處

17 March 1986

HKK243/

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

19 MAK 1986

DESK OFFICEA

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action

166

Dear Kew,

Thank you for your letter of 4 March. I do not think you should be too disappointed with the record of a

After all, it is what we ultimately achieve that Hopefully, this letter could clear some of your

meeting.

matters.

concerns.

Firstly, there is no doubt that the call forward arrangements are working well. The concern raised at the meeting was specifically about the overall off-take of VRs from Hong Kong and not the process vis-a-vis vísas

arrangements etc.

Secondly, the problem concerning the period of notice required by the refugee agencies could be attributed to the housing situation at this end. You would appreciate that the UK system is less flexible than that in Hong Kong. Voluntary agencies are some time at the mercy of local councils who could withdraw or relocate accommodation because of local emergencies, eg to house fire victims etc. The agencies are also reluctant to put VRS into a Centre if this could be avoided. This would in a way be taking them from one Centre' to another. Hence, the idea is to re-house arriving VRs with their relatives as soon as possible.

Thirdly, the point on the average off-take of 40 refugees were actually emphasized by both David Barton from the FCO and myself at the meeting. You can rest assured that it was not just a brief mention. How far the Home Office minute-taker decided to have this recorded, I am afraid, is beyond our control.

ó Grafton Street London WIX 3LB

/I

...

Telephone: 01-499 9821

Telex: 28404

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