TNAG-1540-FCO40-2104-Further-resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-i-1986 — Page 9

CONFIDENTIAL

5494

UK RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME FOR HONG KONG WITHOUT DELAY.

WE ARE

NOW TRYING TO ARRANGE AN EARLY MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO MINISTERS.

HOWEVER, IN THE LIGHT OF MINISTERS' TRAVEL PLANS, DIARY

COMMITMENTS, AND THE CHRISTMAS BREAK, WE ARE NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT MINISTERS WILL BE ABLE TO MEET BEFORE 8 JANUARY TO TAKE THE

MATTER FURTHER.

5.

WE REALISE THAT THIS TIMING WILL NOT BE HELPFUL TO YOU IF

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ARE TO BE DEBATED IN LEGCO ON 7 JANUARY, AS

CHUGANI'S ARTICLE IMPLIES. WE SHALL DO OUR UTMOST TO SEE IF THE

MINISTERIAL MEETING CAN TAKE PLACE EARLIER BUT THIS IS UNLIKELY.

IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THIS CONNECTION TO HAVE QUICKLY YOUR

ASSESSMENT OF:

(A)

(B)

WHEN LEGCO IS LIKELY TO DEBATE THE SUBJECT:

WHETHER THE DEBATE WILL BE ON A SUBSTANTIVE MOTION (AND,

IF SO, ITS LIKELY WORDING) OR ON THE ADJOURNMENT.

6. WE SHALL ALSO BE GRATEFUL TO HAVE A REPORT OF YOUR 17

DECEMBER MEETING WITH LEGCO IN DUE COURSE.

HOWE

OCMIAN 5494

NNNN

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

LIMITED

HKD

SEAD

UND

PS/MR RENTON

MR GILLMORE

DR WILSON

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CONFIDENTIAL

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