Contd. 2
(2) If nothing concrete were to emerge from a new Government, then many will be forced to emigrate and seek the nationality of countries such as Canada, Australia or the United States, in order to provide a secure future for themselves and their families. This would be a more
sensible and desirable alternative than to wait for the type of eventuality to occur whereby HMG would then feel obliged to grant them British nationality. Moreover we doubt anyone would wish to leave Hong Kong in such dire circumstances, having to suffer the indignity of being political refugees.
(3) There may be some people who will opt to stay on in Hong Kong as British Nationals (Overseas) in the hope that they will be able to rely on the assurances given by HMG if things do not work out. This, however, will probably only apply to those who, because of financial circumstances, infirmity or old age, will have no other option available to them.
We are grateful for your sympathetic concern about our problem, and we hope to be permitted to take up more of your valuable time when further developments occur. Our Council has fought long and hard to obtain a proper and effective form of nationality for the non-Chinese BDTCS, and we intend to continue doing so until the problem is satisfactorily resolved.
Yours sincerely,
Hari Harilela President
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