RESTRICTED
-
Second, because the level of interest in Hong Kong
means that we would gain disproportionate political
benefit by agreeing to register the whole group rather
than choosing among them.
3. I see no need to extend this treatment to other
groups in Hong Kong seeking registration. Spouses of British citizens for example already have an open-ended entitlement to settle in the UK and, unlike these children, do not therefore need citizenship to encourage them to remain in Hong Kong.
4.
Peter Lloyd indicated in his letter to
Malcolm Caithness of 21 November that he thought any
concession would have to be limited to children under 18.
This is compatible with the terms of the 1990 Act and OMELCO have said they would be happy with that. But they
have expressed concern about the effect of an age limit
on those children who were not 18 when their applications
were lodged in 1991, but who have since turned 18. I
hope it will also be possible to register these
individuals.
5. I hope we can lean in the direction of generosity for this entire group.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4 August 1992
TH
(DOUGLAS HURD)