PS/LPS
HKK 341/1
AM
re
No
11/12
9,2.
boot Pry Scal
129
CONFIDENTIAL
P01411
8.12
HONG KONG: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHERS
A (124) 1.
B(127
In my minute of 4 December, I undertook to let you know when we received more information from Hong Kong on the problem of illegal immigrants who give birth to children in Hong Kong.
2.
The present position is set out in Hong Kong Telegram No 1094. This is potentially a tricky problem but the Hong Kong argument as described in paragraph 3 is fair in the diffiuclt circumstances.
3. We are not called upon to do anything at this stage, but if the subject becomes one of parliamentary or public interest, the Hong Kong Government's policy is defensible. The problem of illegal immigration is a major one, and one which can justify measures which in other contexts it would be preferable to avoid. There will be no repatriation in cases where there are very compelling humanitarian grounds against it. There is always the option for the father (himself a former illegal immigrant) to return to China, with the baby, and rejoin the mother. At present local Chinese opinion favours a hard line although there has been some criticism from the English-language media. A copy of the article referred to in paragraph 4 of the telegram is attached.
C
See 130
9 December 1981
cc Mr Donald
Dip
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
Mr. Willing from J12.12
CONFIDENTIAL