LHKC 340 -340
RECEIV IN F
4
23 APR 1998
DESK DEEL
STRY
BRIEFING FOR THE HON ALASTAIR GOODLAD MEMEOR A MEETING WITH THE
CHINESE AMBASSADOR: 19 APRIL 1990
(26
Nationality Scheme for Hong Kong
1. In the last few years the number of Hong Kong people emigrating from the territory has increased from an average of some 20,000 per year during the period 1980 - 86, to 30,000 in 1987, 45,800 in 1988
and 42,000 in 1989. We believe the number of emigrants will reach some 55,000 this year. If the immigration policies of those
countries which constitute the main emigration destinations remain
broadly as they are now, emigration from Hong Kong is likely to
remain at the level of 50,000 to 60,000 per year for the foreseeable
future.
2. It is in the light of these developments that the British
Government concluded that decisive action is necessary to stem the
tide of emigration by providing those individuals in key sectors of
the economy and the civil service with the confidence to stay in
Hong Kong and to continue to contribute to its economic development
and prosperity. After careful consideration, the Government
concluded that the only way of achieving this objective is to offer
full British citizenship to such people.
3. The Government considered some form of "guaranteed" entry
certificate instead of full citizenship but this was ruled out for
two reasons (i) it could be revoked by a future British Government
as the opposition already stated it would and (ii) it was against
the letter of the British memorandum attached to the Joint
Declaration.
4. The Bill, which will become the British Nationality (Hong Kong)
Act 1990 was presented to the House of Commons on 4 April and will
have its second reading in the House today. The Act will give the Home Secretary powers to grant British citizenship to up to 50,000 key personnel, on the basis of recommendations made by the Governor and in accordance with the scheme. He may also give British citizenship to the spouses and children under 18 of the prinicpal
beneficiaries.
FAYAOJ