March
LAnn Winterton MP
House of Commons
London SW1
Thank you for your letter of/5 March enclosing the postscript of a letter from your constituent Mr I Walker on the subject of the return of two boys from Hong Kong to China.
The parents (Mr and Mrs Cheung) came to Hong Kong in 1985 and 1991 respectively on one-way exit permits (the scheme, administered by the Chinese Government, whereby 75 Chinese nationals a day may emigrate to Hong Kong legally) without their sons. They brought their sons in illegally, while leaving their elder daughter in China. The two boys have no legal claim to remain in Hong Kong, and are in the same category as many illegal immigrants who are returned to China every day. Appeals
to the independent Immigration Tribunal by the two brothers were
considered and turned down. Three petitions to the Governor have also been carefully considered but rejected. The parents' application for legal aid was refused as their case was inadequate. Their appeal to the High Court against this decision by the Director of Legal Aid was also turned down.
The newspaper cutting your constituent enclosed claims that there would be no one to look after the two brothers on their
repatriation to China. I understand that this claim is untrue.