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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 views on timing, in view of the
latter's forthcoming visit to China. The problem is mainly a
presentational one. Parliamentary interest here would prob-
ably 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, increase 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 there-
fore to ask the Governor to delay until after the visit. If,
as is likely, the Chinese told the Secretary of State that
they were doing all they could, and themselves argued for the
implementation of the sort of measures which are planned, the
Governor could then be authorised to go ahead very quickly.
The Secretary of State could, if necessary, make clear in
Parliament that he was satisfied, after discussion in Peking,
that the only practical way to halt the flow was to eliminate
the attraction which is at present offered by the "safe
haven" for immigrants who "reach base".
4. The issue on timing is well balanced. The Governor can
ill-afford to see 8,000 illegals entering Hong Kong each
month for much longer and is under growing pressure. The
Chinese are probably doing all they can in the circumstances.
But on balance Mr Blaker favours delay until after Lord
Carrington's visit, with the proviso that the Governor should
be given discretion to introduce the measures in the inter-
vening period should there be a very sharp increase in the
number of illegal immigrants flooding into Hong Kong.
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15.
.