TNAG-0909-FCO40-1119-Legislation-for-immigration-into-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 5

A

B-F

G.S. 166

CONFIDENTIAL # #

For discussion

on 4th December 1979

HKK3H1|3

RECEIVED W

XCC(79) 2 & XCC (79) 189 2

Copy Nó

BESK OFF Page 11 AGISTRY

INDEX

PA

(Action Take ·

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Immigration Ordinance

(Chapter 115)

bf 40

Myk

OBJECTIONS BY CHEUNG SING-YIN, CHEUNG SIU-LING, SO FUNG-YEE, CHEUNG HING-SAN, MAN TUNG-WOC, AGAINST THE CIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION'S DECISION

NCT TC GRANT THEM PERMANENT STAY IN HONG KONG

27.1

Annexed at B-F for the consideration of Members are five objections under section 53 of the Immigration Ordinance against the Director of Immigration's decision not to grant permanent residence in Hong Kong.

Background

2

Cn 2nd January 1979 Members considered and approved proposals contained in memorandum XCC(79)3 (annexed at A) which changed the arrangements for the admission of new arrivals from China. Under the new arrangements, immigrants from China will not be granted permanent stay but will be admitted only for a limited period, and thereafter, if necessary, granted extensions of stay.

3

The new arrangements were implemented on 15th January 1979, subject to review after six months to assess their effectiveness. Since then there has been a continued high level of legal immigration from China. Despite representations it now seems as if the Chinese authorities are arranging arrivals so that they average about 150 a day. This level is still very much too high and further efforts are being made to reduce it. In the se circumstances no change in the arrangements introduced on 15th January are being made.

4

Since the new procedures were brought to effect 59, 016 new immigrants have arrived from China. Of these 2, 497 have applied to the Director of Immigration for permanent stay. Applications by those able to produce evidence of the right to land in Hong Kong under section 8 of the Immigration Ordinance by virtue of birth or long previous residence have been approved. So far 296 have established Hong Kong birth, 81 have demonstrated previous long term residence and 908 applications are still under enquiry. The remainder have been rejected.

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

38)