}
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5.
a)
b)
private and confidential, eg in reply to the petition from the locally-engaged members of the Administrative Service Association and to UMELCO. The Governor, however, does not
believe that it would be as effective as an amendment to the
Bill in allaying the fears of the people concerned. There is also the likelihood of a leak, which could not be denied publicly. It could thus affect confidence in Hong Kong and
our relations with China.
A public statement. This would be more reassuring for Civil Servants and Unofficials but it would more immediately risk damaging confidence, among investors and those in Hong Kong who were not covered, and affecting
our relations with China.
The wording of any assurance would have to be considered very carefully in order to minimise any reaction from China. A public assurance has already been given in respect of the Falkland Islands.
In December 1979, Mr Ridley sent a message to the people of the
Falkland Islands assuring them that 'in the event of an emergency,
the problems of any islander who did not possess the right of abode in the United Kingdom and who was in trouble at that time would be
most carefully and sympathetically considered'. (The Home Secretary quoted this in the Nationality Bill Second Reading Debate). This is a useful precedent, but in the case of Hong Kong it would have to
be confined to those in an exposed position.
The assurance,
whether confidential or public, might be along the following lines:
'in the event of a change of status of a Dependent Territory, Her Majesty's Government would examine most carefully and sympathetically the position [including entry to the United Kingdom] of those whose public service in that territory entitled them to special
consideration.'
It would obviously greatly strengthen the force
of the assurance if the words in square brackets could be included,
but this could raise serious difficulties in United Kingdom
political terms.
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