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elitist and (b) those who are concerned (particularly with
a view to the possibility that some recipients will come to
the UK) to ensure that citizenship is concentrated on those
with a very high level of qualification. But we would be happy to discuss the option, and the possible impact on
organisations such as the Garrison, at the Home Secretary's
meeting on Monday.
(b)
Criteria for allocation of points
Individuals will be selected within occupational groups by
a points system. The criteria for the award of points are set out in paragraph 9 of Annex B, with further details in
pages
of that Annex. Three warrant particular attention at this stage.
(i) British links Up to 50 points (out of a maximum
of 800) will be available for British Links. They can
be earned for a wide variety of connections with
Britain but the most important should be long term
employment with a British organisation.
Up to 30 points will be available for this. Some might argue
that the weighting should be heavier, but it would be
difficult to give more points for employment with a
British organisation than for employment with the Hong
for th Kong Government, and any significant increase there
would jeopardise the desired ratio between the public
and private sectors.
(ii) Knowledge of English
Given that the purpose
of the scheme is to keep key people in Hong Kong,
rather than have them come to the UK, it seems right
that knowledge of English should be reflected in points
awarded, rather than that anyone should be disqualified
by a lack of it. In practice, in the professional
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