6
In the first five months of 1988, there seems to have
been something of a levelling off: the figure for January
to May is 15,135 compared with 15,776 for the same period
of 1987. However, we would need to see several more
months figures before we could say a definite trend had
emerged.
Visas.
9.
The local consulates of the 7 major destination
countries (Canada, USA, Australia, UK. New Zealand,
Netherlands, West Germany) provide information on the
number of visas issued direct to the Census and
Statistics Department (except Canada, which gives the
information to Secretary for Security who passes it on).
Information on the number of visas issued in recent years
is also at Annex A. These confirm the surge in
emigration.
Figures for the 7 major countries are :
1985: 20,845
1986: 21,766
1987: 38,911
* Information supplied by Hong Kong Immigration Department
which acts as the agent for HMG.