CONFIDENTIAL
26
22
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A
Sir L Mongon Mongon
I: MIGRATION BILL
1.
Mr Laird has asked me to submit these papers to you
in his absence from the office today.
2. You will recall the Governor's telegram No. 153 in
which he made representations as regards the effect that the UK Immigration Bill would have on the entry of citizens
of the United Kingdom and Colonies from Hong Kong into this
country.
3. In his submission to you of 1 April Mr Laird explained
the position so far as this Department was concerned and
immediately before you went on leave on 15 April you.
informed Mr D A Scott that you saw no objection to represent-
ations being made to the Home Office and to the Department
of Employment on behalf of Hong Kong, on lines suggested
by Mr Downing in his minute of 24 March.
4.
Representations were accordingly made, at Under-
Secretary level. The Home Office have expressed neutrality
in the matter; but the Department of Employment have raised
some objections in their letter of 12 May which we did not
see until 21 May. In view of these objections Migration
& Visa Department do not think that we can press Hong Kong's
case any further.
5. Mr Downing has informed me this morning that the Home Secretary will be making a statement in Parliament at 1530 hours tomorrow, Wednesday, 26 May, which will set out the
details of the scheme in relation to the entry of Commonwealth
/citizens
CONFIDENTIAL