COHAND (2)
On question of nationality, working urgently on scheme which
will give some assurance to people to remain in Hong Kong. Hope
tha
international community, including the countries attending Economic Summit in Paris, will also play their full part in
reassuring Hong Kong people about their future.
2. How much flexibility can we offer on right of abode to UK
passport-holders in Hong Kong?
Cannot make an indefinite and open-ended commitment to take several million people.
—
housing,
Immigration on such a massive scale would pose immense practical problems. Would test our capacity in all kinds of areas
employment, transport, inner-city services to unprecedented
degree. Recent report by Select Committee on Foreign Affairs
reached a similar conclusion.
But we shall do everything we possibly can to provide the kind
of assurances tht are needed.
Firstly, we have made clear that if worst came to worst, Britain
would not close door. We would do everything in our capacity to
help. If numbers leaving Hong Kong were larger than we could deal with alone, we would ee to look to our friends and partners in international community for help and support. I shall raise this with other countries attending this week's Economic Summit in Paris.
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Secondly, are looking urgently at what we can do to make some
provision for people in both the private and the public sectors on
the basis of their connection with Britain and the value of their
service to Hong Kong. Hope to be able to announce details of scheme before too long.