HONG KONG NATIONALITY PACKAGE
SPEAKING NOTES
3.4.2
When will the bill be introduced?
The
We shall do so at the earliest opportunity. details are close to being finalised. Can say no more at present.
What will be in the bill?
Is the UK secondment scheme being dropped?
My Right Hon Friend the Foreign Secretary outlined his proposals in his statement to the House on 20 December. I can say no more at present.
The bill will not work
It is important to stem the flow of emigration amongs key personnel. Most of these emigrants would prefer to stay in Hong Kong. Granting British citizenship will provide them with an assurance without the need to emigrate.
50,000 is too few
It is sufficient in our judgment to have a significant impact on emigration and confidence.
We have made it clear that we could not grant right of abode to all 3 million British Dependent Territories Citizens in Hong Kong. I believe this is increasingly recognised in Hong Kong.
What about recent press reports that confidence in the Colony has not improved and that beneficiaries will emigrate anyway?
I cannot comment on the accuracy of these press reports. It is in any case far too soon to begin to judge the impact of the scheme.
We believe that most beneficiaries will stay in Hong Kong and that this will bolster confidence generally.
The proposals contradict the Government's strict immigration policy
The package is designed to enable beneficiaries to remain in Hong Kong, not encourage them to come here. Many of those selected will be people who could come now under the Immigration Rules if they chose to.
If confidence within Hong Kong were to collapse the UK could be faced with a much larger number seeking
admission .