CONFIDENTIAL
GR 260
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 060847Z MAR 81
TO PRIORITY F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 243 OF 6 MARCH
INFO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
73
Barkt me
pl.
HITE 340||
RECSVA
17
NO. 51
12 MAR 081
DECK OCCER INDEX
PA
ĮRENGTAY
Action Taken
301.140 30/3
125)
YOUR TELNO 137: PETITION FROM LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICE.
I SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THAT I SAW THE DELEGATION, LED BY ERIC
HO, ON 25 FEBRUARY AND SPOKE ALONG THE LINES OF PARA 1 OF TUR.
THEY SAID THEY FULLY REALISED THEIR OBLIGATION TO ACT IN A
RESPONSIBLE WAY AND NOT TO RAISE PUBLIC TEMPERATURE. THE BILL HAD
PRODUCED A NEW SITUATION IN WHICH THEY, AS OPPOSED TO ALIENS IN OTHER CROWN SERVICE OVERSEAS, (1.E. IN THE SERVICE OF THE U.K. GOVERNMENT) WERE EXCLUDED FROM BENEFITTING FROM THEIR SERVICE FOR NATURALISATION PURPOSES. MOREOVER IF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL STOOD, AND IF THEY COULD SECURE ENTRY INTO THE UK, THEIR LOGICAL COURSE OF ACTION IN TIME OF TENSION WAS TO LEAVE H.K. AND ACHIEVE UK RESIDENCE QUALIFICATION FOR APPLICATION FOR NATURALISATION. ON THE OTHER HAND, THIS WAS THE EXACT REVERSE OF WHAT THEIR DUTY AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST REQUIRED WHICH WAS THAT THEY STAY AT THEIR POSTS PARTICULARLY IF THE SITUATION WAS ONE OF TENSION OR TRANSITION
THEY ADDED, POLITELY BUT VERY FIRMLY, THAT IF THIS EXCLUSION WERE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE BILL IT WOULD AFFECT BOTH MORALE AND
RECRUITMENT.
2. IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NO DOUBT THAT IN
AN EMERGENCY HMG WOULD DO THEIR BEST FOR THEM BUT THAT A PROMISE TO THIS EFFECT WAS NOT WHAT THEY SOUGHT. MORALE AND RECRUITMENT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED SIMPLY BY A PROMISE THAT THEY WOULD BE AT THE
TOP OF ANY LIST OF REFUGEES.
3. SPEAKING PERSONALLY I COMMENDED THEIR WISDOM IN AVOIDING PUBLICITY, AND SAID THAT I SYMPATHISED AND AGREED WITH MUCH THEY HAD SAID AND UNDERTOOK TO DO EVERYTHING I POSSIBLY COULD TO OBTAIN
SATISFACTORY AMENDMENTS.
MACLEHOSE
[THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED]
MINIMAL
HK & GD
CONFIDENTIAL
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE, LONDON