GPS 333
CONFIDENMAL
DESKBY 30010OZ
FM FCO 291545Z JUN 82
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
TEL NO 498 OF 29 JUNE 1982
PQS: CHINESE SEAMEN IN REAS
нки ого/2
(89
1. YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT MR KILROY-SILK M.P. HAS PUT DOWN THE FOLLOWING PQS FOR ANSWER 30 JUNE:
TO ASK THE PRIME MINISTER:
No
ESE
7/7 fürs 7/7
A. WHY THOSE CHINESE SAILORS FROM HONG KONG WHO HAD BEEN SERVING IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC UNDERWENT IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE ON ENTRY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM: AND IF SHE WILL ENSURE THAT SUCH PROCEDURES ARE NOT IN FUTURE APPLIED TO THIS GROUP OF SEAMEN IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE HER MAJESTYS GOVERNMENTS APPRECIATION OF THEIR WORK
IN THE EXCLUSION ZONE.
B. HOW THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE NEXT OF KIN OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE SAILORS KILLED OR WOUNDED IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC COMPARE WITH THOSE FOR (A) BRITISH SERVICEMEN AND (B) MERCHANT
SEAMEN.
C. IF SHE IS SATISFIED THAT ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ASSIST THE FAMILIES OF THOSE CHINESE SAILORS FROM HONG KONG KILLED AND INJURED IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC.
2. HOME OFFICE HAVE SUBMITTED FOLLOWING DRAFT REPLY TO NUMBER 10: ''THESE MEN ARE NOT MEMBERS OF HER MAJESTYS FORCES AND THEY ARE THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CONTROL UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ACT 1971. HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT INDIVIDUALLY EXAMINED ON ARIVAL AND WERE ADMITTED WITH THE MINIMUM OF FORMALITY. THE SAME WILL BE DONE
FOR ANY FUTURE ARRIVALS.''
3. MINISTRY OF DEFENCE HAVE SUBMITTED FOLLOWING DRAFT REPLIES TO
QUESTIONS B AND C:
THE LUMP SUM COMPENSATION FOR THE DEATH OR INJURY OF HONG KONG CHINESE ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY PERSONNEL IS THE SAME AS FOR UK MERCHANT SEAMEN BUT NO OCCUPATIONAL PENSION WILL BE PROVIDED SINCE THE HONG KONG CHINESE WERE NOT MEMBERS OF A PENSION SCHEME. THE LUMP SUM IS GREATER THAN FOR SERVICEMEN OF A JUNIOR RANK, BUT
WITH THE SAME PROVISO.
HONG KONG CHINESE EMBARKED ON HM SHIPS TO PROVIDE LAUNDRY AND SIMILAR SERVICES UNDER CONTRACT WERE COVERED BY PRIVATE INSURERS
INDEMNIFIED BY MOD.''
YES. APART FROM THE FINANCIAL ARANGEMENTS OTHER FORMS OF
ASSISTANCE ARE ALSO BEING PROVIDED.''
рум
MINIMAI
HRED (4)
DEFENCE D
NEWS D
PS/LORD BELSTEAD
MR DONALD
see See (40)
91
רון
CONFIDENTAL