UNCLASSIFIED
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 26-29 SEPTEMBER
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BRIEF NO. 17:
MEETING WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (UMELCO), URBAN COUNCIL AND PRESS CONFERENCE
POINTS TO MAKE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS
DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT
1.
•
Reaffirm HMG's responsibility for the defence of Hong Kong and
for paying a significant proportion of the costs.
Hope you will understand the limits in which
2. (For UMELCO only):
MOD are working. HMG are having to be ruthless in their control of
public spending and only reasonable that Hong Kong Government
contribute its full share.
OVERSEAS STUDENTS' FEES AT UK INSTITUTIONS
3. The Department of Education and Science, like every Government
Department, have been required carefully to limit public spending.
It is unfortunate that this has resulted in higher fees being
charged for all overseas students, including those from Hong Kong.
•
4. Noted how strongly people felt about this and how valuable these
academic links were. Will look into situation on return to UK.
5. Confirm HMG's readiness to help Hong Kong in the development of
its higher education system.
NATIONALITY LAW
6. Proposed new law on British Nationality was never intended to
distance Hong Kong from the UK, but simply to make UK and Dependent
Territory citizenship consistent with our immigration laws. The
new law will effect no change in the right of entry on visits to the
UK.
7.
Proposed separate category of citizenship for Dependent Terri-
tories emphasises importance of the constitutional relationship
between the UK and Dependent Territories.
UNCLASSIFIED
18.