TNAG-1802-FCO40-2562-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 235

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CONFIDENTIAL

CO Hum Esq

Hong Kong Department

FCO

King Charles Street SW1

Dear Mr Hum

ON

·8 NOV 1988

VSU/88 2001/7/11

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: PROPOSED ADDITIONAL UK RESETTLEMENT COMMITMENT

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Following our very useful meeting with Alan Paul last week I a

Λ further revision of the proposed draft joint minute for consideration. We have reworked paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 and the summary of the proposed basis for selection to take account of our discussions with Alan and his colleagues as well as those we have had subsequently with Mr McDonald of the Training Agency.

As you will see the Training Agency has agreed to make an input into the assessment of those with 'potential' for successful resettlement in the UK. They know the labour market in the UK and have considerable expertise in assessment of individuals for training for employment and we welcome their assistance. The Training Agency has also agreed in principle to provide better links with Employment Training for any new arrivals (the nature and funding of this have yet to be discussed in detail). These links should enhance the employment and self employment prospects of those who may arrive under a new commitment. Your staff and mine have also had discussions with ODA about the possibility of enhancing the work of the Save the Children's Fund in the camps in Hong Kong to give better English language and orientation training to those selected for the UK and we understand that some improvements on the current position can be made. This should help those destined for the UK to a better understanding of the language and to be more prepared for life here. Both aspects will help resettlement here and give further assistance to employability.

The joint minute does not touch on arrivals from Vietnam but our submission to Ministers will need to do so. We are grateful for the efforts currently being made to investigate the possibilities for controlling the flow. Please continue to keep us informed of developments so that we can ensure we inform our Ministers of the most up to date position when we go to them.