1993 11:41
B4 IND LIVERPOOL
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legislative provision were made. This was considered and firmly
rejected during the passage of the British Nationality (Hong
Kong) Act 1990 (as it has been whenever it has been raised
subsequently). Nothing has happened since which would seem to
indicate that a change of policy is called for.
5. The ethnic minorities have, however, been given a firm
assurance, repeated most recently by Mr Wardle and Lord Ferrers
in debates in both Houses that if, against all expectations,
members of that group come under pressure to leave Hong Kong and
had nowhere else to go, the Government of the day would be
expected to consider with considerable and particular sympathy
their case for admission to the UK. This is criticised for being
too hedged about with qualifications but it is impossible to give
It has unqualified guarantees covering hypothetical situations.
also been argued that the assurance is no longer enough because
of change of circumstances in Hong Kong. The only major change
since 1985, however, has been Tiananmen Square and that is now
four years ago. It would be odd to regard that as justification
now for new legislation for the ethnic minorities.
6. The Government were defeated in the House of Lords on this
issue in July. A motion from Lord Bonham-Carter supporting the
grant of British citizenship to those of the ethnic minorities
with only British Dependent Territory citizenship was carried
by 60 votes to 48. The Home Secretary's position on this is that
he has considered very carefully what was said in the debate and
recognises the strength of feeling on the issue; has concluded
no new considerations have been advanced which would lead him to
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