XN000022-1986-05-14 — Page 13

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986

MR HENDERSON ADDED THAT THE SCOPE AND OPERATION OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WAS RELEVANT TO THE WHOLE QUESTION.

HE SAID WHEN THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS WERE TO BE REVIEWED AFTER TWO YEARS' EXPERIENCE, IT MIGHT BE OPPORTUNE TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE OF PREFERENTIAL LIMITS,

HK RESIDENTS ENTITLED TO CONSULAR PROTECTION

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HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE BRITISH NATIONALS ARE ENTITLED TO CONSULAR ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION FROM BRITISH CONSULAR AUTHORITIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR THOMAS SAID, HOWEVER, NO SUCH ENTITLEMENT EXISTED WHEN SUCH PERSONS WERE TRAVELLING IN A COUNTRY WHOSE GOVERNMENT REGARDED THEM AS ITS OWN NATIONALS.

MR THOMAS SAID THE MAJORITY OF CHINESE HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO TRAVELLED TO CHINA DID SO, NOT ON BRITISH PASSPORTS, BUT ON RE-ENTRY PERMITS ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND +HOME VISIT PERMITS+ ISSUED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.

HE SAID: +BRITISH CONSULAR OFFICIALS IN CHINA HAVE NO FORMAL STANDING TO OFFER CONSULAR ASSISTANCE OR PROTECTION TO SUCH HONG KONG RESIDENTS.

+ IN PRACTICE, HOWEVER, INFORMAL APPROACHES TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON BEHALF OF SUCH HONG KONG RESIDENTS CAN BE MADE.

+VARIOUS APPROPRIATE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION EXIST FOR SUCH APPROACHES, HE NOTED.