its housing programme the Hong Kong Government is now the
landlord of approximately one-quarter of its entire
population.
Even so, the number of persons still waiting
+
to be re-settled and re-housed is more than half a million,
a figure which shows little improvement on the position obtaining fifteen years ago. The Colony's economy is expanding at a high rate and there is at present little unemployment, there is indeed a shortage of skilled workers; but it is by no means easy for unskilled persons to obtain employment and the situation could quickly deteriorate if there were any recession in the Colony's trade which is very vulnerable to developments in world trade generally. There is therefore every justification and indeed a real necessity for the Colony to control the influx of unskilled persons
from whatever sources.
Decision to Control Immigration of all Commonwealth Citizens
7. In order to avoid any appearance of discrimination the Hong Kong Government have decided that the scheme should apply to all Commonwealth citizens with the exceptions of persons born in Hong Kong, bona fide tourists and the categories mentioned in paragraph 5(a) above. There are, however, other reasons for applying the scheme on a Commonwealth wide basis. One is the fact (not mentioned in the memorandum) that it is the strongly held view of Chinese unofficial members of the Hong Kong Executive Council that unrestricted entry into Hong Kong should not be allowed to continue in view of the lack of reciprocal facilities for the unconditional entry of Hong Kong citizens into other Commonwealth countries. The position is that even United Kingdom "belongers" require visas or entry permits if they wish to settle in practically any Commonwealth country and Hong Kong Chinese receive even less favourable treatment. Indeed, some countries such as Australia and India have permit or visa requirements which discriminate against those holders of Hong Kong passports who are Chinese. Moreover, it is known to us from contacts with a wide variety of Commonwealth immigration officials that a number of other
/ Commonwealth
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