CONFIDENTIAL
General Allocation Scheme (GAS)
i)
Allocation of Assurances by Group
14. The scheme is set out in paragraphs 6-15 of Annex A.
Using the International Standard Classification of
Occupations as a guide, HKG have divided the working
population of Hong Kong into 31 broad occupational groups,
each of which covers a large number of occupations.
The
groups, and examples of the sub-categories within them, are
set out in Annex C1.
15.
Under HKG's proposals the 36,600 assurances available
for the GAS would be allocated between the 31 occupational
groups according to a formula based on their respective
emigration rates over the past two years, and the overall
size of the group. HKG feel that all
all sectors of the
economically active population should be eligible to apply
for British citizenship and they argue that any distribution which excluded whole occupational groups or particular occupations within these groups would be divisive and difficult to present in Hong Kong. HKG's proposals on the way the assurances should be distributed are at Annex C2.
16.
Although over 2 million (78%) of Hong Kong's working population fall within the bottom five occupational groups, and HKG's proposals would allocate them just 12% of the
places, I am deeply concerned about any of the assurances
going to lower skilled groups. I am also worried about the
inclusion of some of the presentationally difficult
categories (eg performers, writers, artists, social workers)
who rank higher up the list. We have offered assurances with the intention that they would go to genuinely key
people who are needed in Hong Kong but who would also bring
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