He added that bills were already before Congress to
increase the immigration quotas from Hong Kong and he
anticipated favourable reaction in the House of Representatives
He
expressed
the belief that there would be an
increase above existing levels of immigration and voiced the
hope that this would be warmly received in Hong Kong.
Asked how much support there would be in the United
States and in Congress for such a multilateral insurance policy
that it was hard to give a definitive answer as it
an idea that was just beginning to enter the policy debate.
he
answered
sympathy.
possibility.
"But my. sense
I
certainly
is that there would be some
think that it is within the realm of
the willingness Of other
It will depend
countries to join with us. That willingness, particularly by
the UK, would undoubtedly influence Congressional attitudes.
"it appears that other nations are prepared to
participate in a multilateral immigration insurance policy with
purpose of facilitating the confidence of the Hong
Kong people and contributing to a successful transition, I think
there would be great sympathy and considerable support for this
the
primary
in the Congress.
"IE the UK were unwilling to join in I think that
would diminish the potential support for such an initiative.
"I think this an idea whose time is coming. I very
much hope that over the course of the next several months that
such discussions could be initiated with a view toward moving
forward on this matter on a multilateral basis.
P'd
[page 31
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ME:ST PC-80-886I