TNAG-1801-FCO40-2561-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 82

CONFIDENTIAL

-

government department with appropriate expertise to run these centres.

(Further resettlement in UK?)

Essentially a matter for the Home Secretary. Decision to accept further 468 refugees from Hong Kong a significant commitment, given pressures and

Commitment stretched as far as possible.

constraints.

Since 1975 accepted 20,000 Indo-Chinese for resettlement. Nearly 13,000 of these are Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong.

(Can HMG take the 468 at a faster rate?)

Understand reception of refugees puts considerable demands on local

resources. Home Office judge that gradual flow of about 20 a month is most easily handled.

(Aid to Vietnam)

No question of bilateral aid to Vietnam while Vietnam continues to occupy Cambodia. But there may be a role for some form of limited multilateral aid

to assist with repatriation.

CONFIDENTIAL