Minister
(cont'd)
Geoffrey Austin/ R.T.V.
naturalizad
Minister
precedent
covered the whole range of areas where people feel that they have grievances which they want to put right.
So, in fact, I think you have now got what is really an onwards system in Hong Kong. I'm delighted to
see it and I think it's working well. There are
obviously, there will be overlaps and gaps in the
future which will have to be looked at from time to
time but I am very satisfied with the present arrange- ments as they are.
Over 55% of Hong Kong Chinese population was born in the colony, they are eligable to hold British pass- ports. Each year a few thousand others are materia- lized as British subjects, well over two million chinese could, therefore, hold British pass-ports. Approximately one hundred thousand do at present. What rights do these passports refer on the holders should a Uganda type situation ever arise in Hong Kong in the future? Will this large number of British
subjects have the right to entry into Britain?
I think the last point is really totally hypothetical, I don't see a President, anywhere, during my visit to Hong Kong, and certainly I don't think you could
compare the present Government or anyone else in
authority in Hong Kong to President Amin. This is unlikely to happen. I think the great thing that has been proved by what has happened in Uganda is that the British Fassport means something. After all these poor people in Uganda have been turned out of their homes, their businesses and they have come to succour and help to Britain and they have a right to do so because they hold British passports and we have welcomed them into the United Kingdom.
I think this
"shows the people of the world the value of the British
passport.
welcome.
This is something, which I very much There is not going to be a situation like
Uganda in Hong Kong.