TNAG-1910-FCO40-2714-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 148

cst.ps/12jm6.6/lets

Spokes to Mr Crabbie HE. no to that additional 50 Mos tents should be charged

under felem provelion d

ch Or 9/66

RESTRICTED

CHIEF

MON

DRU

SECRETARY TO THE

TREAS

Wir land, HKD)

PS / Lord Glemtin

Mi Gollmon

56

Mr Statherick Mr Mclaren Mr Cassie, Rus

Finance Ogastmand Treasury Chambers, Parliament Street, SWIP 3AG Lawson for drawing

on this commit mas

is Mikt Carbring, 210 6019. All papos should be equad

to lum.

The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe QC MP Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Foreign & Commonwealth Office

King Charles Street

London

SW1A 2AH

7/6

/RAL

Miss Marsden

6

June 1989

Dear Foreign Secretary,

Mr Habwen 8%

W%

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG

50

Thank you for your minute of 2 June seeking my urgent agreement to a discretionary claim of up to £4.25 million from this year's Reserve to provide for emergency temporary accommodation for Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong.

We settled this matter,last night via our private offices and I am writing now to confirm the agreement reached.

I agreed that the costs of providing 100 marquee tents and of converting a barracks should both be found from the 1989-90 Reserve. I suggest our officials agree the final figures for the conversion of the barracks when they become clearer but accept that up to £4 million may be necessary for this.

Your minute of 22 May and the OD paper for discussion this Thursday suggest that further expenditure may be necessary if the problem of the boat people is to be finally resolved. We will of course be discussing the wider picture with colleagues on Thursday 8 June.

I

am copying this letter to members of OD, to Chris Patten and to Sir Robin Butler.

HKB 243/11

Yours sincerely,

Phalas

PP JOHN MAJOR

[Approved by the Chuff Secretory and

signed in his absence.]