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ALCEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
HONG KONG:
1.
12 AUG 1980
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taker
RIYL
4/ mi
Secretary of State
Drast hai umer
AW 12/
CONTROL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA
In his minute of 22 May, Mr Blaker's Private Secretary asked whether the Secretary of State approved in principle the contingency plans which the Governor of Hong Kong had drawn up in order to deal with the illegal immigration problem there (his letter of 30 April to Mr Murray). The Secretary of State was content that these should go ahead.
2.
PARB
8/8.
Pa
2"/
Since then draft legislation, which Mr Blaker has seen and approved, has been agreed by the Executive Council. The Legislative Council has, however, not yet been consulted, the plans being kept on ice until it should appear that implementation was unavoidable. Meanwhile, Mr Blaker raised the question of illegal immigration with the Chinese Ambassador on 17 June.
3.
see (146
The Governor, while still very conscious of the penalties of putting the measures into effect, has reported (Hong Kong telegram No 868) his view that the situation has deteriorated in terms both of public opinion in Hong Kong and of the likely social and economic effects of immigration, with a recession in the offing. Mr Blaker discussed the matter with the Governor on 14 July. Sir Murray is reluctant to delay action for too long in view of the Executive Council's recommendation that implementation should be tentatively planned for late August/early September. Mr Blaker accepts that the Governor has a strong case, but would like to have the Secretary of State's view on timing, in view of the latter's forthcoming visit to China. The problem is mainly a presentational one. Parliamentary interest here would probably initially be slight and there are arguments for getting implementation over in the Parliamentary Recess. However, if the more stringent measures in Hong Kong caused problems (black market in identity cards, increased opportunities for corruption etc), Ministers could be open to criticism if Lord Carrington had not taken the opportunity of his visit to raise the matter with the Chinese. The alternative is therefore to ask the Governor to delay until after the visit. If, as is likely, the Chinese told the Secretary of State that
165 (84)
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/they