08-JUL-1993 14:45
MR GOODLAD
08 JUL '93 15:34 PRIVATE OFFICE GAG 071 273 3596
0712703731
P.91
78
destroy it (98
duplicates
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE LONDON SWIH JAT
Mimiter
Copy to:
to my bocines
Mus Bares domes, HID
(by foux).
6.5. Dovey
817
Dear Governor,
8 July 1993
HONG KONG NATIONALITY: ASSURANCES TO ETHNIC MINORITIES
AND ETHNIC CHINESE
Thank you for your leter of 6 July supporting the proposal in Alistair Goodlad's letter to Charles Wardle of the same date that we should extend the assurance given to the sthnic minorities to all BDTC8/BNOS.
I quite understand the desirability from a Hong Kong perspective of giving such an asturance. But I do not 306 serious difficulties domestically in dộing to. The assurances given in the past have always been in the context of the ethnic minorities and to extend their scope now could be seen as saddling ourselves with a future immigration commitment of uncertain size. I expect too that, if the immigration assurance were widened in this way, there would be increased pressure to give the ethnic minorities full British citizenship.
I have not reached a final view of the matter, but I did want to let you know in advance that I am clear that tomorrow's adjournment debate would not be a suitable reason to announce what in our view would be a major change of policy. The debate is concerned with the ethnic minorities and in responding to it Charles Wardle can reasonably decline to be drawn on the wider issue. I will of course let you know what view I finally reach,
I am copying this letter to Alistair Goodlad.
Yours sincerely,
Jutrin Walker
MICHAEL HOWARD
(Approved by the Hooie Secretary
and signed in his absence)
HKCD 340/6
10JU. 1993
The Rt Hon Christopher Patten Governor of Hong Kong
P.2/2
TOTAL P.01