TNAG-1802-FCO40-2562-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 223

11. We have in the past had problems with resettling boat people here and those problems are not going to disappear entirely.

However with initial selection of refugees on the basis proposed,

we think that an expansion of existing language training programmes provided in camps in Hong Kong and, after arrival in the UK, good linkages into the new Employment Training programme

(which provides individual assessments and training programmes to enhance the employment and self employment prospects of those

using it) can reduce previous difficulties.

There is moreover still a fund of

We

goodwill towards these people and the need for an additional resettlement effort would be well understood in this country. believe that a package of this kind is an appropriate response which should trigger significant new commitments from other

countries. We should be grateful for confirmation that you would

be content for us to proceed on these lines. We would aim to announce the decision early in the next session.

12. Copies of this minute go to Nigel Lawson, Nicholas Ridley, Norman Fowler, Chris Patten and Sir Robin Butler and other members of H Committee.

(cd16/fd)