FROM HONG KONG BILL UNIT
04,12,1998 11:47
NO, 2 P,11
services.
The
section
would
the cover
police, prison,
immigration, customs, fire and auxiliary airforce services,
well as the independent commission against corruption and the
be allocated to these
Garrison.
Places will
proportion to their staff numbers.
services in
Applicants will be assessed
on a points system similar to that already described but adjusted to take account of the needs of each service.
Finally, the sensitive services section will provide for people who, as a consequence of service to Hong Kong or United Kingdom
civilian or military role,
especially vulnerable or exposed after 1997.
interests
in either
a
would be
Mr Speaker, this is a scheme for key workers, not for a wealthy and influential elite. It makes provision for policemen, nurses
and
teachers
as
well
as
for
managers,
administrators
and
businessmen. I do not believe that it will be divisive and the reactions so far in Hong Kong lend no credence to such claims. These proposals will contribute to the stability and prosperity of the territory, and in doing so they will benefit the community
as a whole.
lack of
Suggestions that this Bill betrays the Government's confidence in the joint declaration or that it will reinforce uncertainty about the future among those not selected do not stand up to scrutiny. It is a fact of life that, following the events in China last June, confidence in Hong Kong declined to a low ebb. The Bill is designed to tackle that problem.
from undermining confidence, it will bolster it.
Far