CONFIDENTIAL
ZCZC
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY CANBERRA 05220OZ MARCH 91
TELNO
OF 05170OZ MARCH 91
INFO PRIORITY BTC HONG KONG
DESKBY
PERSONAL FOR PS/LORD CAITHNESS (VISITING) FROM PAUL, HKD
MIPT: GUARDIAN ARTICLE ON THE NATIONALITY SCHEME
1. I would like to correct a fundamental inaccuracy in
Gerald Segal's commentary of 5 March on our Nationality Scheme
for Hong Kong. He claims that less than 10 per cent of the
available places had been applied for. In fact the Scheme was
over subscribed by more than 50 per cent.
2. 50,000 places are available under the scheme: 43,250 now, in
the first tranche, and the rest are to be allocated closer to
1997. The total number of applications for this first tranche
was 65,623.
3.
The scheme is targetted on key people in Hong Kong whose
presence there is essential for the future success of the
territory. The aim is not to lure them to Britain. On the
contrary, the aim is to give them the confidence to stay on.
BUGAEL/CC
HKD
AR PAUL
270 2647