CONFIDENTIAL
These are matters which will feature in the discussions which the joint
Home Office/FCO Bill team will be holding with the Hong Kong Government
during their current visit to Hong Kong (10-16 February).
Numbers
4.
The Hong Kong Government argue (with justification) that the 50,000 ceiling is too tight to accommodate all the deserving public sector
people they want to cover, while retaining a respectable ratio in
favour of the private sector. But the Home Secretary is adamant that
the solutions they have proposed to deal with this (which involve
breaching or adding to the 50,000 control figure) are not on. We
cannot reasonably press Mr Waddington to change his mind.
The only
alternative, therefore, may be to adjust the ratio of assurances in
favour of the private sector. The Bill team will report the outcome on
their return from Hong Kong.
The Approved Secondment Scheme
7.
Our latest information is that companies are still keen on the
approved secondments scheme. Officials will also be taking further
soundings during their current visit to Hong Kong.
Eligibility
8. Definition of eligibility to apply under the citizenship scheme is
another subject which will require further discussion with the Hong
Kong Government. Officials will report to Ministers on their return
from Hong Kong.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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