CONFIDENTIAL
24587
1
THEIR INSTINCTS MAY BE TO MOVE OUT AND TRANSFER THEIR FUNDS
ELSEWHERE: THAT THE HOME OFFICE RESPONSE WOULD HAVE THE OPPOSITE
EFFECT, INDICATING THAT WE WOULD HELP THESE PEOPLE ONLY IF THEY MOVE OUT OF HONG KONG AND COME TO LIVE IN BRITAIN: AND THAT THIS
WOULD UNDERMINE CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND PASS
OFF THE OPPORTUNITY OF SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ASKED THAT THE HOME SECRETARY SHOULD
EXAMINE THE MATTER AGAIN, WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, AND DISCUSS
IT WITH HER.
6.
GRATEFUL FOR ADVICE. OBVIOUSLY, IT WOULD INDEED BE VERY
DAMAGING IN TERMS OF HONG KONG OPINION IF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP
WERE GRANTED TO A FEW VERY WEALTHY CHINESE BUSINESSMEN BUT DENIED
TO THE ETHNIC MINORITIES. WOULD IT BE LESS DAMAGING, EVEN
ACCEPTABLE, IN THE CONTEXT OF A DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THE MINORITIES (IF ONE COULD BE SECURED): OR WOULD IT STILL LEAD TO
MUCH BITTERNESS AS BETWEEN THOSE CHINESE WHO PROVED ABLE TO 'BUY'
BRITISH CITIZENSHIP, AND THOSE WHO COULD NOT?
HOWE
OCMIAN 4587
LIMITED
HKD MR. WILSON
COPIES TO'.
• HR. FIFOOT LEGAL ADVS.
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CONFIDENTIAL