NATIONALITY
5.
I came across no really serious criticism of the Bill.
My meetings with civil service unions showed much more support
that we might have expected, and the various professional
bodies were equally helpful.
Ex-pats focussed on provision
for non-British spouses I think what we have announced will
need some hard advocacy to sell. Others raised the Chinese
stance on recognition of these passports, and in particular on
consular protection. This latter is largely irrelevant, but
has taken on a disproportionate importance.
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
6.
For
From being easily the main issue last September, this
barely got a mention. But David Wilson is right to warn that
the arrival of large numbers would swiftly change this.
the moment, however, Hong Kong sees more Vietnamese leaving
than arriving, and it is felt that the problem is at least
being contained. But it is clear that the large and growing
numbers of screened-out, of whom still only a tiny fraction
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