From The Minister of State
The Hon Francis Maude MP
I M Harris Esq
Managing Director
Bonas Machine Company Ltd Dukesway
Team Valley Trading Estate Gateshead NE11 OLF
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
28 November 1989
Dear Mr Haris,
Thank you for sending us a copy of your letter of 23 October to Nicholas Ridley about the possible loss through emigration of three of your key employees in Hong Kong, Mr Henry Tang Wing Wah, Mr Edward Ip Kwok Lung, and Miss Christina Lin Mei-Ling.
We are well aware of the problems caused to companies in Hong Kong by the emigration of skilled and experienced people in search of the security of a foreign passport. We are therefore looking urgently at how we might help, in ways which go beyond our existing nationality and immigration rules.
We are working on proposals to give the assurance of the right of abode to limited numbers of key people in the public and private sectors in Hong Kong, with the aim of encouraging them to remain in the territory, where they can continue to contribute to its success and prosperity.
The proposals will cover a wide range of sectors and professions and will certainly include people with important and sought-after technical skills who are susceptible to emigration. I cannot of course comment on individual cases at this stage, but from the information annexed to your letter I should have thought that the three cases you mention might be the sort of people who could be successful under our proposals if they were to apply.
Details of our proposals will be announced as soon
possible. At that point, should you require any further information I suggest you write to me again.
kumm
Francis Maude
نا
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