XN000022-1994-10-26 — Page 62

46..

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1994

I DO NOT, HOWEVER WITH AGREE MR HOWARD YOUNG THAT IT IS NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE TO ESTABLISH AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY TO ISSUE SAR PASSPORTS BEFORE 1997. OUR VIEW IS THAT SAR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE SAR PASSPORT, SHOULD BE ISSUED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT; THE PRE-1997 PREPARATION WORK SHOULD ALSO BE DONE BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. I DO NOT SEE THAT ANY BENEFIT WOULD BE GAINED FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION BY GIVING THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO ANOTHER ORGANISATION. IN FACT, THE REVERSE. THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS THE EXPERIENCE, THE EXPERTISE, AND THE RECORDS NECESSARY FOR THE TASK. IT HAS A VERY GOOD REPUTATION WITH FOREIGN IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES IN RESPECT OF THE SECURITY OF THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IT ISSUES, AND THE PROFESSIONALISM WITH WHICH IT HANDLES IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS. WE SHOULD BUILD ON THESE STRENGTHS, NOT BYPASS THEM.

REGARDING

I SHOULD CHILDREN

MRS ELSIE TU HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT OUR POLICY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND CHILDREN BORN TO THEM IN HONG KONG. LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS NOT OUR POLICY TO PUNISH BORN TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. OUR POLICY ALLOWS A CHILD BORN IN HONG KONG TO AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MOTHER TO STAY, IF THE FATHER IS A LEGAL RESIDENT IN HONG KONG. THIS IS IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL IMMIGRATION PRACTICE. IT IS FOR THE FAMILY TO DECIDE WHETHER IT IS BETTER FOR THE CHILD TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG OR TO RETURN TO CHINA. WE ARE ANXIOUS TO FACILITATE FAMILY REUNION, BUT IT MUST BE DONE IN A CONTROLLED AND PHASED WAY, WITH WHICH OUR SOCIAL SERVICES CAN COPE. NOT THROUGH UNCONTROLLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, WHICH WILL INEVITABLY RESULT IN A DEGRADATION OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. AS I HAVE SAID IN MY POLICY COMMITMENT, WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING WHETHER HONG KONG IS CAPABLE OF INCREASING FURTHER THE ONE-WAY PERMIT IMMIGRATION QUOTA FROM CHINA FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS.

THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.

SPEECH BY SCA

* * * * *

FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY

AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, OF THANKS TODAY (WEDNESDAY):

CONSTITUTIONAL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON

FOR

MOTION

MR PRESIDENT,

SINO-BRITISH COOPERATION AND THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP

JOINT OF STRESS

OF THE LACK

TO

FAITHFUL

IN THIS DEBATE, MANY MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO THE WORK LIAISON GROUP AND VOICED THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THE APPARENT

WISH WE SHARE SUCH A CONCERN. I PROGRESS IN SOME KEY AREAS.

AND THAT THE BRITISH SIDE ARE COMMITTED TO THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE ALSO

WE ASSURED US OF THEIR INTENTION TO DO so. REPEATEDLY

PEOPLE CHINA TO LIVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF HONG KONG EXPECT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BY IMPLEMENTING ALL THE PROVISIONS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW TO BRING TO FRUITION THE CONCEPT OF 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS' AND A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.

THEREFORE

AND

FOR THE

/IN A