over three years,
the Canadians and Australians between
10,000 and 15,000 each. They all expect the UK to play its
part. If we do not, it is possible that they will take relatively
fewer refugees from Hong Kong than from other countries in
the region.
7. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has asked us to
agree to take a further 1,000 refugees over three years (in
addition to the 1,000 we announced in December last year).
We may well come under pressure from the other countries
to take more than this; and the Governor of Hong Kong is
sure that a larger contribution will be needed to meet local
expectations. We judge that 1,000 may just be enough, provided other countries play their part. But it would be very useful to have contingent authority to offer up to 2,000 places
at the Geneva Conference, if that proves necessary to secure
agreement on the package we need for Hong Kong outlined in
paragraph 4 above.
8. It would be of enormous psychological and practical
help to Hong Kong if agreement could be reached on prompt
resettlement of refugees. Conversely, it would be a major
blow if we failed to get a good deal for Hong Kong; and it
would cause us serious difficulties in our dealings with
the territory.
9. I am very conscious that such a commitment would impose
burdens on reception, training and housing facilities in
this country, and that it would require additional resources.
Our officials have been in touch about this. I would
naturally support any bid that your Department put to the
Chief Secretary in this connection.
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