TNAG-1792-FCO40-2552-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 118

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Hum

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Hong Kong Dept

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In Kortin

172

I have bespalild in telegen.

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Vietnamese Boat People in Hong Kong

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Thank you for your submission of 10 May. The Secretary of State agrees with the three recommendations in your paragraph 2 and looks forward to receiving a draft minute x to his Ministerial colleagues.

He does however have doubts that he will be able to go as far as you propose during his visit to Hong Kong to indicate HMG's willingness to help over further resettlement.

The Secretary of State agrees that the Hong Kong policy has to change. One important point that the Hong Kong Government will presumably consider, is whether new policy will actually bring benefits or whether it would instead lead simply to a permanent prison camp population.

12 May 1988

cc: PS/Mr Eggar

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Fifoot, Legal Advs

Mr Thomas,

SEAD

Mr Williams, UND

CONFIDENTIAL

MUD 243/8

bloom.

تو

(R N Peirce)