XN000022-1995-10-12 — Page 16

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Can I just say something about the figure and the Honourable member is not an unfair man, so I want to put this point very directly to him. It isn't reasonable to take the limit for the new scheme that we're proposing, to add it to those who've come under the present scheme, and then to claim that next year there must therefore be more people brought into Hong Kong to work than there are at present. First of all, the number brought in under the present scheme will be gradually running down over the next year or so. Secondly, the figure of 5,000 is a top limit. We're not saying that there must be 5,000 people brought into Hong Kong next year. Indeed, we're saying that every job that is brought in will have to be justified, and justified, ultimately, to the LAB. But we will have to be able to demonstrate to this Legislative Council every three months that the scheme is being run in a sensible way and isn't threatening to undermine people's jobs.

But I hope that we can straighten out all these issues over the next few weeks in a way which satisfies people like the Honourable gentleman, who I hope will recognise that what we are trying to do is to respond to the legitimate anxieties which people like the Honourable gentleman have raised for the last couple of years, without, on the other hand, going so far as to hurt Hong Kong's competitiveness and prevent us being able to introduce people with particular skills that we don't have, into our work- force. I think we've pitched the balance about right but we will be happy to talk about whether we've got things right with Honourable members and others over the coming weeks.

President: Mr Ip Kwok-him.

Mr Ip Kwok-him (in Chinese): Mr Governor, in the policy address you mentioned that the Labour Importation Scheme should be halted and Mr Lau in fact mentioned this point just now. With regard to the figure 5,000, apart from this figure, do you know that at present there are many people holding British passports, they are working in Hong Kong and they do not have to be issued with working visas? And so, for these people coming to Hong Kong to work, will there be a review conducted within the Government, so as to give priority to local people in terms of employment?