3. As to how to handle the implications of the above, perhaps the best way would be to try to play it long, and hope that EC partners do not become alive to the complication over
returnability. We shall continue to keep Hong Kong informed of developments in Europe, through MVD's periodical newsletters (sent to HKID), but it will be in Hong Kong's interests not to stir things up by asking direct questions of our EC partners about access, which in turn might prompt questions to ourselves. It would also help if we were able to satisfy the concerns of EC partners over the alleged use of Hong Kong as a springboard for illegal migration into Europe (and elsewhere) (see my minute of 4 June to Rod Bunten). But as for prospects in the long term, I can offer no words of comfort.
4.
Perhaps Legal Advisers will be able to comment on whether anything can be done to protect what is seen as a "national interest case". But what we shall need to consider also is what the FCO's reaction will be if we were to come under pressure from the Home Office to impose a visa regime on BDTCS/BN (0)s from Hong Kong sometime before 1996, if there were to be a loss of confidence and a resultant wave of immigrants to the UK. We all hope that this will not happen, but we need to be clear what our options (legal and otherwise) are if it does.
cc Mr Hayward, NTCD
Mr Levi, ECD (I)
Miss Brooks, Legal Advisers Mr P Berman, Legal Advisers Mr Neale, B2 Divn, Home Office
ва
R.W. Sindon
Migration & Visa Dept
9 July 1993