TNAG-1910-FCO40-2714-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 20

cst.ps/12jm6.6/lets

Spoke to Mr Crabbie HE

to that accrtional 50

먹는

MOD tents plioned be charged

unde fim provision d

必嗨

//

Wv band, HIKI

RESTRICTED

THIEF

SECRETARY TO THE

TREASURY

is / Lord Glemth

Mi Gillmore

56

M Statheriche, Mr Mchoren M Cassie, Rus

Finance Department Treasury Chambers, Parliament Street, SWIP 3AG

Laikon for drawing on this commitinant

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

to him.

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

London

SW1A 2AH

7%

/ROAL

Miss Marsden

6 June 1989

Mr Haswel

A

Dear Foreign Secretary,

50

3/6 W%

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG

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,

PWalas

PP JOHN MAJOR

[Approved by the Chuff Secretary and

signed in his absence.]