(8A
SECRET
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 581
OF 16192OZ MARCH 90
074432
MDHOAN 5267
340/4
RECE
STRICTLY PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MCLAREN, AUSS
23 MAY 1990
HONG KONG ASSURANCES: OD(K)
{
YOU MIGHT FIND IT HELPFUL TO KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THE OD(K)
THE MEETING ON 15 MARCH.
1.
2.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE AGREED THAT THE CASE FOR MAKING ANY GROUP OR CATEGORY ELIGIBLE UNDER THE SELECTION SCHEME MUST BE JUSTIFIED ACCORDING TO WHETHER THEY WERE EITHER: (A) ESSENTIAL TO THE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UP TO 1997: OR (B) THOSE WHOSE WORK WAS VITAL TO ITS PROSPERITY. AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THEY APPROVED THE MAIN LINES OF THE SCHEME AND ENDORSED THE GAS, DSS, SSS AND THE KEY ENTREPRENEURS SCHEME AS PROPOSED BY THE HOME SECRETARY. A SPECIAL CONTINGENCY RESERVE WAS AGREED WITHIN THE GAS FOR TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PEOPLE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS WHO DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE SEVEN BROAD GROUPS (SET OUT BELOW).
3.
THERE WOULD BE NO SPECIAL PROVISION FOR THE GARRISON, WHO SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY AS APPROPRIATE UNDER OTHER PARTS OF THE SCHEME.
4.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT THE BALANCE OF ARGUMENT WAS IN FAVOUR OF NOT (NOT) PROCEEDING WITH THE ASS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHOULD DISCUSS WITH THE HOME SECRETARY WHETHER THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ASS COULD BE ACHIEVED OUTSIDE THE BILL. THE BILL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED DURING THE WEEK BEGINNING 2 APRIL. 5. WE ARE FAXING TO DONALD TSANG A NOTE FROM MRS GRIMSEY (DRAFTED BEFORE SHE HAD SIGHT OF THE MINUTES OF OD(K)) ENCLOSING A COPY OF THE OFFICIALS PAPER WHICH DETAILS THE SCHEME AS APPROVED.
6. THE GENERAL ALLOCATION SCHEME AS APPROVED COMPRISES THE SPECIAL RESIDUAL CATEGORY (500 PLACES) AND SEVEN BROAD GROUPS AS FOLLOWS:
(A) BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT TO INCLUDE OCCUPATIONAL
CATEGORIES 1 12 AND 23.
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exemption section 27(1) Redacted under FOI