DEBATE ON HONG KONG
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
SECRET
RESIDUAL BRITISH STATUS AFTER 1997
1. My Right Honourable and learned friend said in his statement in
Hong Kong on 20 April that it was not realistic to contemplate
continued British administration in Hong Kong after 1997, and that
we are aiming to secure a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty. I think the meaning of that statement is
clear.
UNDERTAKINGS TO BDTCS OR PEOPLE OF HONG KONG (General)
2. We are working for an agreement which will encourage all Hong
Kong people to continue living in the teritory.
ADMISSION TO UK (specific)
3. There is provision under existing legislation for persons without the right of abode in the UK to be allowed entry in specified
circumstances and for the Home Secretary to exercise a discretionary
power to grant British citizenship to specified categories of
people. Applications would of course be considered on their merits.
But I must stress the importance of an agreement which will encourage Hong Kong people to continue living and working in Hong
Kong.
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS
4. Civil Service pensions are a charge to the revenue of the Hong
Kong Government. They have always been met. There is no reason to
believe that the Hong Kong Government will not continue to carry out its obligations before or after 1997.