TNAG-1801-FCO40-2561-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 80

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policy in Hong Kong. He indicated that the BRC would be in favour of the

introduction of screening, subject to satisfactory supervision.

He was criticial of the UNHCR's apparent lack of enthusiasm for screening, taking the view that refusal to countenance screening did the cause of genuine refugees no good at all.

5. The attitude of the BRC towards screening is particularly important as they are the umbrella group for voluntary agencies in this country and an effective mobiliser of public opinion. Their endorsement of a new policy including screening would be most helpful in securing its public acceptability.

6.

The Secretary of State's minute of 17 May to the Prime Minister summarises

our present thinking on this issue.

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