PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Under existing, Hong Kong, legislation
dealing with the deportation of British subjects 7 years is the qualifying period of residence to exempt a British subject from deportation. It will accordingly be proposed that the period of 10 years referred to in sub-paragraph (f) on page 2 of the enclosed memorandum be reduced to 7 years.
(c) The Governor has told us that there has
been some local pressure to accord to alien Chinese a degree of protection against deportation similar to that proposed for citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies in Clause 19. It seems not unreasonable that aliens who have made their permanent homes in the Colony and have nowhere else to go should not appear in the law to be allowed less security of residence than some British subjects. We have accordingly agreed with the Governor that there should be an amendment extending to aliens in this position the protection afforded by the amended Clause 19.
I should be grateful if you would treat the information in this letter about the proposed amendment of the Bill as confidential until the amendments are moved by the Hong Kong Government in the Legislative Council.
Peter Blaker Esq., M.P.,
House of Commons,
London,
S.W.1.
Anthony Royle
3
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL