TNAG-1801-FCO40-2561-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 108

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7. Lord Glenarthur asked whether these figures did not suggest that we should take in skilled refugees. Mr Renton said that the essence of our refugee policy had always been that we should not make acceptance conditional on skills. Mr Flesher said that talent- spotting could however be important in winning acceptance around Whitehall of any increase in numbers: it might be reassuring to be considering additional refugees who would almost certainly not be dependent on social security benefits. But most of the talented refugees seemed to want to go elsewhere. But he noted that the ODP intake had increased, which added to the overall number of Vietnamese entering Britain. Lord Glenarthur noted concerns in Hong Kong that this might affect our acceptance or refugees there and his public denial to Mrs

Fan.

8.

Ms

Lord Glenarthur then raised the possibility of sponsored refugees. Mr Renton wondered whether Refugee Action or the Ockenden Venture might help; or whether companies with major links to Hong Kong such as Jardines, GEC or Swires might be interested because of the favourable publicity they might receive in Hong Kong. Dale commented that the shortage of skills among the refugees would be a problem (as would shortage of Home Office stati). Mr Renton agreed that any such arrangement would take time to set up. He was also not sure that there would be a lot of sympathy for the idea. The perception in Britain was that Hong Kong was rich and could take the burden: an article in today's Times had noted that the cost of refugees to Hong Kong was equal to the amount gambled there at two race meetings. Lord Glenarthur said that he thought there was, in fact, British public interest in Hong Kong and an awareness of our special responsibilities there. Many letters from the public argued that we should take more refugees form Hong Kong: virtually none argued the opposite case.

9.

Lord Glenarthur rererred to our commitment under the RASRO (rescued at sea) Scheme: we were well below our agreed rigure. Could we offset this by taking in eg long stayers? Mr Renton took note of the figures.

10.

Concluding, Mr Renton said that the Home Office would look very carefully at the ideas we had advised, including sponsorship (you handed over a copy of Lord Glenarthur's speaking note, which included the "conditionality package" idea). He well understood the difficulties Lord Glenarthur would have face when he visited Hong Kong if he did so empty-handed on this issue. He knew that the Home

/Secretary

CONFIDENTIAL