CONFIDENTIAL
13
機密
(iii)
(iv)
to avoid adding to the illegal fringe, we would allow overstayers to remain and issue special identity cards to them which were invalid for employment purposes or Government services. This would enable the overstayers to remain here legally but debar them from working or receiving services such as housing, schooling, medical treatment etc., This would make us more independent of the attitude of the Chinese and also act as some deterrent to visitors staying on or coming in the first place. But the deterrent effect is doubtful: many such legalised overstayers would be prepared to go on waiting in the hope that they would sooner or later be granted normal status and in the meantime would live on their relatives or find work in the "black" economy, again with harmful consequences. In addition the increase in the population would continue.
we would revive the scheme for bonding relatives or friends to ensure that the visitors returned by the due date. Failure of the visitors to leave would result in the forfeiture of the bond, which could be set at a high level. However, in view of the sums which persons resident in China have been prepared to pay to come to Hong Kong in the past, the effectiveness of this deterrent might prove small, although it could have some value. In effect, settlement in Hong Kong could be purchased. Moreover, past experience of implementing such arrangements, inevitably complicated and expensive in staff resources, is not encouraging.
Timing
33.
The critical path lies in the availability of Immigration Department staff required to implement the scheme (see para 21).
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
/34.