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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1985
RIGHT OF ABODE ENDORSEMENT SIGNIFICANT
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INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE PROPOSED BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT HINGES ON A SUITABLE FORM OF ENDORSEMENT TO INDICATE THAT THE HOLDER HAS RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, THE HON J.J. SWAINE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE POLICY DEBATE, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD BEST ACHIEVE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE PASSPORT IF IT WERE ITSELF TO RECOGNISE THE VALUE OF THE PASSPORT FOR SECURING ENTRY INTO THE U.K.
+ADMINISTRATIVELY THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED WITH THE MINIMUM OF DIFFICULTY BY HAVING ALL SUCH PASSPORTS ENDORSED ON ISSUE WITH PERMISSION TO LAND IN THE U.K.
+THIS WOULD SECURE FREE ENTRY OF THE HOLDER INTO THE U.K., AND OBVIATE THE NEED FOR OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF ENTRY BEFOREHAND OR FOR OBTAINING SPECIFIC PERMISSION ON EACH OCCASION OF ENTRY, HE SAID.
MR SWAINE POINTED OUT THAT NO VIOLATION OF PRINCIPLE WAS INVOLVED SINCE PERMISSION TO LAND FELL SHORT OF THE RIGHT TO LAND AND COULD NOT THEREFORE MATURE INTO AN ENTITLEMENT TO REGISTRATION AS A BRITISH CITIZEN UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981.
TURNING TO THE USE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, MR SWAINE STRESSED THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER WE MUST ENSURE THE PROFICIENCY OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN BOTH SPOKEN AND WRITTEN ENGLISH,
+HONG KONG'S VALUE TO CHINA WHICH IS ONE OF THE CHIEF AIMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION ON OUR FUTURE, REQUIRES THAT HONG KONG MUST REMAIN A LEADER IN THE WORLD OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND FINANCE.
+AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION IS ESSENTIAL FOR HONG KONG'S SUCCESS AND HONG KONG MUST RETAIN ITS GRIP ON ENGLISH, WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE, HE SAID.
HE SAID HE LAMENTED THE FALL IN THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH OF YOUNG PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS AND EMPHASISED THAT WE SHOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD WORK.
ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR SWAINE WAS PLEASED WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S STATED INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE PLANNING FOR A THIRD UNIVERSITY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE UPWARD PRESSURE OF OUR FORMS 6 AND 7 LEAVERS WAS UNRELENTING AND WOULD ONLY BE PARTIALLY EASED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A THIRD UNIVERSITY.
HE SAID .**.