Comment
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Very limited flexibility in Home Office stance. We should keep
close watch on monthly UK resettlement figures and keep pushing
for a shift in balance of arrivals to the first 12 months of
the two-year period.
Important to plan ahead for new intake post July 1989 to avoid the damaging gap of nil intake which occurred in first half of
1987.
Defensive line should continue
emphasis more on past record
total etc.
"continuing commitment" etc;
13,000 since 1975, third highest
3.
Resettlement Elsewhere
Disappointing response to diplomatic campaigns. Plenty of sympathetic noises, very few definite extra offers.
Reasons
-
"compassion fatigue"
increasing percentage of North Vietnamese
arrivals - not seen as political refugees, fewer relatives
already settled overseas
perception that UK has not done enough to provide
lead/incentive
Particular Areas of Concern
I
United States
Total US resettlement in 1987 333 (1986-1323).
Frequent approaches made to US in 1987.
-
Hong Kong not US priority.
- PC places a possibility dependent on increase of UK intake?
Fy 88: 29,500 refugees from S.E. Asia to be taken by US HK
quota?
Norway
Total in 1987
-
33 (1986
-
114)
- Several approaches made.
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