CONFIDENTIAL
(210)
010200
MDHOAN 7088
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 18003OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 798
OF 17171OZ APRIL 90
INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONGį
196
нко
34011
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
02 MAY 1990
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
YOUR TELNO 1213. FOREIGN PASSPORT HOLDERS IN HONG KONG
REGISTRY
Action Taken
1.
WE APPRECIATE THE DIFFICULTIES OF OBTAINING A DEFINITIVE FIGURE FOR HONG KONG CHINESE RESIDENT IN THE TERRITORY WHO POSSESS FOREIGN PASSPORTS. WE ASSUME THAT YOUR HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WILL NOT PRODUCE RESULTS IN TIME FOR THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON
19 APRIL.
2. WE HAVE HOWEVER HAD AN ESTIMATE (FROM SIMON MURRAY) THAT THERE COULD BE UP TO HALF A MILLION SUCH PEOPLE (INCLUDING DEPENDANTS). GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE RELIABILITY OF
THIS FIGURE.
3. WE ARE CONSIDERING WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ADVANTAGE IN QUOTING SUCH A FIGURE DURING THE SECOND READING DEBATE EITHER TO SHOW THAT A FOREIGN PASSPORT REALLY DOES ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY: OR TO COUNTER THE ARGUMENT THAT OUR 5U,UUO PASSPORTS ALONE DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CRITICAL MASS TO BE EFFECTIVE. 4. BUT THERE IS ALSO A RISK THAT OPPONENTS OF THE BILL MIGHT
ARGUE THAT IF HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN OBTAIN FOREIGN PASSPORTS ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNT AND EVIDENTLY REMAIN IN THE TERRITORY THERE IS
NO NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL UK SCHEME.
5. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THE ADVISABILITY OF DEPLOYING A
LINE ON FOREIGN PASSPORT HOLDERS DESKBY 18083OZ.
HURD
YYYY
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