this country, should that ever be necessary.
We have
had to set this reality against our desire to be as
effective as possible in restoring confidence to Hong
Kong.
3
If we
If, as has often been suggested, we gave the right of
abode to all holders of British Dependent Territory
Citizen passports in Hong Kong, we could if that right.
was exercised create unacceptable strains here.
kept the scheme too narrow it would fail in its purpose
and at the end of the day we might be faced with a much
more severe problem.
After careful and detailed consideration over several
months, we have concluded that the assurance to be
given should take the form of full British citizenship
which would be awarded to recipients without their
having to leave Hong Kong. With dependants, the total
who will receive assurances will not exceed 225,000.
This figure will be an absolute ceiling. We estimate
that it would cover about 60,000 households.
scheme would cease by 1997. It is thus strictly
The
limited in scope, numbers and time.
Beneficiaries will be selected on the basis of a points
system. The scheme will embrace people from a wide
range of walks of life in Hong Kong. It will cover