TNAG-0330-FCO40-366-Visit-of-Parliamentary-Under-Secretary-of-State--Anthony-Roy-1972 — Page 12

Minister

(cont'd)

Geoffrey Austin/ R.T.V.

naturalizad

Minister

precedent

covered the whole range of areas where people feel that they have grievances which they want to put right.

So, in fact, I think you have now got what is really an onwards system in Hong Kong. I'm delighted to

see it and I think it's working well. There are

obviously, there will be overlaps and gaps in the

future which will have to be looked at from time to

time but I am very satisfied with the present arrange- ments as they are.

Over 55% of Hong Kong Chinese population was born in the colony, they are eligable to hold British pass- ports. Each year a few thousand others are materia- lized as British subjects, well over two million chinese could, therefore, hold British pass-ports. Approximately one hundred thousand do at present. What rights do these passports refer on the holders should a Uganda type situation ever arise in Hong Kong in the future? Will this large number of British

subjects have the right to entry into Britain?

I think the last point is really totally hypothetical, I don't see a President, anywhere, during my visit to Hong Kong, and certainly I don't think you could

compare the present Government or anyone else in

authority in Hong Kong to President Amin. This is unlikely to happen. I think the great thing that has been proved by what has happened in Uganda is that the British Fassport means something. After all these poor people in Uganda have been turned out of their homes, their businesses and they have come to succour and help to Britain and they have a right to do so because they hold British passports and we have welcomed them into the United Kingdom.

I think this

"shows the people of the world the value of the British

passport.

welcome.

This is something, which I very much There is not going to be a situation like

Uganda in Hong Kong.