How can you be sure scheme will anchor key people in Hong Kong?
Reaction in Hong Kong to our nationality package has been positive. OMELCO has said publicly that package will be a helpful
contribution towards slowing down the brain drain and have
expressed confidence that those who receive passports will have the
peace of mind to remain in Hong Kong and contribute to Hong Kong's
future. People from the busines sector have also said that Scheme
will help to anchor key people in Hong Kong.
- A number of recent surveys by professional bodies in Hong Kong
show that the majority of those currently planning to emigrate would stay in Hong Kong if granted British citizenship under the scheme.
For example, 35% of charters surveyors, 88% of government doctors
and 80% of civil engineers have said that they would change their
plans to leave Hong Kong if granted British citizenship.
-
- Evidence from the operation of the Singapore assurances scheme
which was announced last July confirms our belief that few people
will want to leave Hong Kong once they have the assurance of right
of abode elsewhere. While some 20,000 Hong Kong people have applied
for residence status in Singapore under this Scheme and 8,000 have
already been accepted, only 94 people have actually left Hong Kong to settle in Singapore.
- What other evidence is there for our belief that key people will remain in Hong Kong? A wealth of anecdotal evidence from companies, business people and members of the public in Hong Kong; case
histories of individuals catalogued on television, radio and the
press; letters from chairmen of some of the leading British and Hong Kong companies, giving profiles of some of their staff. With the House's permission I shall quote a few examples:
Been with
wife and
(i) A Managing Director of a Shipping Agency, aged 42. the company for 20 years married with 2 children. His children are currently living in Australia in order to obtain right
of abode. If he could obtain a British passport he would remain in
Hong Kong and his family would rejoin him. If not he will have to
join his family in Australia.
POPAES (3)