CONFIDENTIAL
majority of people in Hong Kong, and we do not believe that there is any real pressure there to introduce constitutional changes that would threaten the stability of the territory.
4. Mr Gingell also claims that we deny the citizens of Hong Kong many of the rights in the labour, health and social security fields that are enjoyed in this country. It is true that Hong Kong citizens do not have as wide a range of social benefits available to them as exist in the UK. But the Hong Kong Govern-
ment, with the full support of the British Government, are committed to a programme that will make Hong Kong's social services second only to Japan's in south and east Asia, and this is really a more valid comparison than comparison with the UK. Considerable progress has already been made in implementing this programme, and the process is continuing.
5.
Mr Gingell's other preoccupation is with the fact that holders of Hong Kong-British passports do not enjoy an automatic right of entry into the UK. But this concern is based on a misunderstanding of Hong Kong British citizenship. The holder of a Hong Kong British passport has an absolute right to live and work in Hong Kong, but there is no logical reason why he should be entitled to special privileges in entering any other country including the UK. In fact, holders of passports from British dependent territories do enjoy certain advantages in obtaining permits to work in the UK, as was explained to Mr Gingell in Mr O'Keefe's letter of 2 September 1975.
6.
I therefore recommend that a reply should be sent on the lines
of the attached draft. NTD concur.
9 October 1978
CC
PS/Lord Goronwy Roberts
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Smedley, N&TD
W.E. Quantill
WE Quantrill
Hong Kong & General Department
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.