TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 201

CONFIDENTIAL

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5. "New" Members of the Commonwealth

a. East and Central Africa

There are about 38,000 Asian United Kingdom

passport holders including dependants who are expected gradually to move to this country under the special voucher scheme. The Government have publicly reiterated the undertaking to accept UKPHs in this country and to operate the voucher scheme until the transfer is complete. Neverthe- less, publication of the proposals could increase the rate of applicants for vouchers, thus dis- turbing the orderly progress now being made towards final settlement of this problem. Furthermore, the governments of some countries might interpret the change as evidence that HMG is attempting to divest itself of its responsibilities for these people and use it as a pretext for increasing the pressure to leave. We do not expect Amin-type mass expulsions by

Commonwealth Governments.

b. Indian Sub-Continent

India accepted a number of the Asians expelled from East Africa against an undertaking from HMG that they would be admitted to the United Kingdom at any time they wished to come. They are estimated to number 39,000 with their dependants at present. Most of the potential migrants from the Sub-Continent to Britain are not United Kingdom nationals and there- fore would not be directly affected by changes in our nationality law. However potential migrants, including dependants of those already settled here, fiancés of both sexes and others, may be led to believe by simul-- taneous debate in this country on immigration policy, that controls are about to be stiffened. Similar re- actions would be likely from the Governments of Pakistan

and Bangla Desh.

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