have also been able to tackle other problems, such as poor sanitation and hygiene, and education, including the provision of English language training (during the worst of the overcrowding, all available space, including that previously used for schools, had to be turned over to accommodation). New building is continuing and, provided there is no major influx this year, it should be possible to bring about a steady improvement in conditions.
It is worth repeating the extent of resources Hong Kong and the British Government are having to devote to this problem. In 1989 the Hong Kong Government spent some £90 million, and the British Government some £19 million, on care and maintenance of Vietnamese. This year the bill will be no less. Manpower resources are being strained to the limit. It is a great credit to Hong Kong that they are coping as well as they are.
There is another matter on which I believe we owe you an apology. You wrote originally to Douglas Hurd in January, at the same time as your first letter to Geoff Barnes; although you did receive a reply from Hong Kong, you did not receive a reply from us. I am sorry.
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Francis Maude
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