this
Our Locally-engaged staff are concerned about their future after 1997. As far as we know none of them have passports which would allow the right of abode outside Hong Kong. Our most senior local employee, David Lee, has written a good letter on subject to CONNECT in its most recent issue. He appeals to all colleagues in the Council to support staff demands for
full nationality rights in Britain. I told David Lee privately that
the Council would do all it could in persuading the British government to be generous with passports to people like our staff who had served Britain well over the years in Hong Kong.
For the future we face an accommodation problem.
At present we occupy part of an office block in Hennessey Road which is unsatisfactory - an undistinguished entrance, inadequate space and inefficient layout. However until we know what sort of British representation will be established in Hong Kong after 1997 it would be inadvisable to develop plans for new Council accommodation.
DAVID ORR
2.