TNAG-1903-FCO40-2705-Hong-Kong-cabinet-meetings-on-Vietnamese-refugees-1990 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

need to be set in hand urgently by officials in my Department,

the Home Office, the Department of Social Security, the

Department of Employment and Treasury.

13.

In the absence of such measures, our only practical course is to take forward the more positive dispersal approach already in hand. All possible steps must be taken to house the forthcom- ing intake of Vietnamese outside the pressure

pressure areas when they arrive, and immediately to set in place mechanisms to encourage

them to remain there permanently. This will not be easy and we

must recognise that, inevitably, some will settle in London. I

should be grateful for colleagues' agreement for officials to

work up plans for coordinating schemes to provide language

training, skill training, employment opportunities and health and

social services support at local level, in cooperation with the

local authorities and voluntary bodies.

CONFIDENTIAL (6)