TNAG-0903-FCO40-1113-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1979 — Page 129

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THERE WAS NEVER AN EXPECTATION THAT THE CONCESSION WOULD OPERATE INDEFINITELY AND THE THEN HOME SECRETARY, WHEN INTRODUCING

THE RULE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE KEPT UNDER CLOSEST POSSIBLE SCRUTINY

AND CHANGES WOULD BE INTRODUCED IF NECESSARY. THE NUMBER ADMITTED LAST YEAR (MAINLY AUSTRALIANS, NEW ZEALANDERS AND CANADIANS) WAS

3410 AND ALTHOUGH MANY WILL NOT REMAIN PERMANENTLY, THOSE THAT

DO QUALIFY TO BRING IN THEIR DEPENDANTS, SO THE NET EFFECT ON

IMMIGRATION IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT.

TERMINATION OF THE CONCESSION WOULD NOT AFFECT THE RULE UNDER

WHICH YOUNG COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS MAY COME TO THIS COUNTRY

FOR EXTENDED WORKING HOLIDAYS OF UP TO 5 YEARS. THOSE WHO

MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORK PERMIT SCHEME WOULD, OF

COURSE, BE ADMITTED AND, AFTER 4 YEARS IN APPROVED EMPLOYMENT, THEY MAY BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR PERMANENT SETTLEMENT. ENDS.

2. GRATEFUL YOUR COMMENTS BY 9 JUNE. YOU SHOULD NOT CONSULT, EVEN INFORMALLY, THE GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED. WHAT DO YOU THINK THEIR, AND THE PUBLIC, REACTION WOULD BE TO THE WITHDRAWAL

OF THE CONCESSIONS COVERED BY PARAGRAPHS 27 AND 48 OF THE RULES?. ARE THERE IN YOUR COUNTRY ANY COMPARABLE CONCESSIONS TO CUKCS AND COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS WISHING PERMANENT SETTLEMENT?

3. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT MINISTERS WILL PREFER TO POSTPONE A DECISION ON THIS RECOMMENDATION. BUT IF THEY WISH TO DISCONTINUE THE CONCESSIONS THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF DOING SO NOW SEEM

FAIRLY STRONG. NUMBERS ENTERING UNDER THIS RULE HAVE INCREASED

FROM 1066 IN 1973 TO 3410 IN 1977. POSTPONING A DECISION TO REVOKE

IT WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF ACCUSATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION, SINCE THE NEW COMMONWEALTH ELEMENT IS LIKELY TO GROW.

OWEN

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MV R NTA

SWPD

COPIES TO

HRI CHILCOT HOME OFFICE LUNAR HOUSE

SAA

MACD

NAR

MR FIGG HR HALK

MR HURRAY.

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