TNAG-0321-FCO40-357-Effect-of-1971-UK-Immigration-Bill-on-entry-of-Chinese-from--1971 — Page 32

JONADENTIAL

Reference...........

(24)

Copies to:

Sir Leslie Monson Mr D A Scott

FL

22

20

Flag

ビ

2

Á from Sir Leslie Monson

ajd (Hong Kong Dept)

Mr Layya

1.

We have now received a reply from Mr. Pickford of the Department of Employment to Mr Scott's letter of 30 April to Mr Fitzgerald suggesting raising the ceiling for work permits for Hong Kong from 50% to 60% of the 400 work permits which will be available for the dependent territories under the new control system that is envisaged as a consequence of the Immigration Bill. See also Mr Scott's minute of 20 May regarding his conversation with Mr Pickford. (Mr Fitzgerald's reply is at Flag B. The Home Office are neutral in the matter.}

2.

The Department of Employment's reaction was not unexpected and, in view of the firm position they have taken up, I really do not think we can press this matter further so far as UKPH from Hong Kong are concerned. The Home Secretary will 'be announcing next week, probably on Wednesday or

Thursday, an increase in special entry vouchers for UKPH in East Africa and this will be accompanied by an announcement of a cutback in employment vouchers for the rest of the Commonwealth. interim scheme, as far as numbers are concerned, will follow the lines of the permanent scheme that will be implemented under the Immigration Bill and I would therefore propose, unless you and the other recipients of this minute disagree, to let the Department of Employment know that we reluctantly accept the position as far as employment vouchers For Hong Kong are concerned.

This

3.

You will see that Mr Pickford would prefer that we do not inform the Governor of Hong Kong until he is able to let us know after next Monday's meeting what the position is likely to be about alien Chinese from Hong Kong. We are currently preparing guidance for Commonwealth posts on the new interim employment voucher scheme but I would not propose to send this to the Governor since it would give him the impression that we had simply ignored his representations. I would propose to let him have a detailed reply, perhaps by way of a personal telegram as soon as we have the additional information promised by Mr Pickford.

21 y 1971

Downing

Migration and Visa Dept CL 636 Tel: B221