CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 622
OF 19050OZ FEBRUARY 90
CONFIDENTIAL
HiCD 340/2
RECEIVED IN REG:
RY
2 1 MAR 1990
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
Action fake
7
156527
MDHIAN 7598
FOR PAUL, HKD, FROM DONALD TSANG, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
YOUR TELELETTER OF 6 FEBRUARY 1990: ETHNIC MINORITIES
WE HAVE ALWAYS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE INDIAN AND PAKISTANI COMMUNITIES WHICH TOTAL SOME 11,000 PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE CHIEF SECRETARY SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THEIR CASE DURING THE FAC HEARINGS. OUR VIEW REMAINS THAT THESE ETHNIC GROUPS DESERVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
2. THE MAIN OBJECT OF INTRODUCING THE UK NATIONALITY PACKAGE IS TO ANCHOR IN HONG KONG INDIVIDUALS WITH A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE TERRITORY'S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY UP TO AND BEYOND 1997. THIS OBJECT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE JUSTIFICATIONS FOR GRANTING THE ETHNIC GROUPS RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK. THAT SAID, THERE IS NO RESTRICTION BASED ON ETHNIC ORIGIN IN ANY OF OUR PROPOSED SCHEMES UNDER THE UK NATIONALITY PACKAGE. BUT IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE, GIVEN THE TIGHT NUMERICAL CEILING, TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE SCHEME WITHIN THE PACKAGE TO CATER FOR SELECT ETHNIC GROUPS.
3. WE BELIEVE THAT THESE ETHNIC GROUPS WILL CONTINUE TO LOBBY FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS REALLY A MATTER FOR THE HOME OFFICE AND FCO TO DECIDE WHETHER ANYTHING CAN BE DONE SPECIFICALLY FOR THESE GROUPS OUTSIDE THE TERMS OF THE PACKAGE.
WILSON
YYYY
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