TOCAAO(5)
B.
NATIONALITY
CONFIDENTIAL
15.
Hong Kong people should be given right of abode
As Prime Minister has already made clear, simply not realistic to
expect a British Government to grant right of abode to several million people.
This is a view shared by great majority of Members of Parliament
on both sides of the house, as has been confirmed by report of
Foreign Affairs Committee.
Would be wrong and irresponsible for us
irresponsible for us to make commitments or
raise expectations that no future British Government could possibly
meet.
16.
Strong support by people and mass media in UK for right of
abode for Hong Kong people
Believe great majority of British people not in favour of giving right of abode to all Hong Kong people.
Recent Gallop poll showed that 69% of British people opposed to
right of abode.
17. Very few people would ever exercise the right to come to
Britain
No-one can predict how many would come. But the numbers could be
very great.
No responsible government could introduce legislation to give
right of abode to Hong Kong people on assumption that these rights
would not be taken up.
18.
What assurances can Britain provide?
Determined to do everything we possibly can to help, within the limits of what is practicable.
CONFIDENTIAL