ETHNIC MINORITY BDTCs
CONFIDENTIAL
17. During the progress of the Hong Kong (Nationality) Order in Council through Parliament in 1986, the Indian BDTC community in Hong Kong, directly and with the support of LegCo, requested that HMG should grant non-ethnic Chinese BDTCS British citizenship and therefore the right of abode in the United Kingdom. After careful deliberation this request was turned down. Ministers concluded that proper arrangements on nationality and right of abode in Hong Kong had been made by HMG and in the Joint Declaration. But certain assurances were given in Parliament: the wording is reproduced in the Points to Make.
18.
These assurances have done something to reduce pressure from the ethnic minorities for British citizenship. But they have not abandoned their demand.
BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR HONG KONG CHINESE
19.
British businessmen in Hong Kong have recently expressed concern to us about the difficulties of retaining skilled Hong Kong Chinese managers. They suggested offering British citizenship as an inducement to key personnel to stay in Hong Kong. Earlier businessmen had suggested to us that British passports be granted to Hong Kong Chinese prepared to invest in the UK.
20. The concern about the difficulty of retaining skilled professionals is a valid one. It is a concern which we and the Hong Kong Government share. At present the outflow of talent has not reached anything like crisis proportions, but the situation is being monitored carefully.
21.
The offer of British citizenship to such people would certainly help to reduce the outflow. But the political arguments against granting British citizenship to managers or entrepreneurs are strong. Ministers concluded when they considered the issue that we would be sowing the seeds of divisiveness between those who would be seen as having been "bribed" with or having "bought" a British passport and those who had no hope of being so fortunate.
The
CONFIDENTIAL