TNAG-1802-FCO40-2562-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 295

A-E

Private Secretary

HKD243/12

- 4 OCT 1988

FILE/91

INDE

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ROMT

DATE:

Cc:

Hum,

Hong Kong Department

30 September 1988

PS/Lord Glenarthur

PS/Mr Eggar

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Williams, UND

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: SECRETARY OF STATE'S BILATERAL

WITH THE HOME SECRETARY ON 4 OCTOBER

PROBLEM

1. The Secretary of State is holding a bilateral with the Home Secretary on 4 October. The Home Secretary is being briefed to raise the question of the resettlement of Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong in the light of a letter from the British Refugee Council (BRC) proposing a new commitment of 60 places per month.

RECOMMENDATION

2.

I recommend that the Secretary of State should take this opportunity to discuss the way ahead on a new UK resettlement commitment, and to encourage Mr Hurd to agree to the idea of a joint minute to the Prime Minister and colleagues. I submit points to

make.

BACKGROUND

3. Following a series of exchanges in the summer, the Home

CONFIDENTIAL

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