TNAG-0982-FCO40-1201-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 149

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Report of the Working Party Established to Examine the Consequences of a Decision

to Return Evaders to China

Annex E

Terms of reference and consideration

The Working Party was set up on the direction of the Chief Secretary during considerations of a proposed change of policy aimed at returning to China illegal immigrants who reach base and of legal immigrants who overstay the period allowed in their permits. The Working Party was required to make an assessment of the likely effects of a change of policy on those evaders who went to ground and on the community generally and to try to form a judgement on what might happen to this category in future. It consisted of representatives from Home Affairs Branch, the Police, Special Branch, Immigration Department and ICAC and was chaired by a member of Security Branch.

Introduction

2.

The aim of this paper is therefore to try to forecast what evaders would do if in future it were decided to return to China all those who came to notice (as distinct from found after a search). Evaders are defined here as those illegal immigrants from China who "reach base" and who are at present allowed to stay, being issued with an identity (i.d.) card when they apply.. It also examines the effect on the community generally of such a policy. In accordance with the terms of reference, it does not deal with overstayers (i e those who have left China legally but stayed longer than their permits allow); it does not consider the deterrent effect of a change of policy on potential illegal emigrants in China; nor does it assess the reaction of the community generally to various associated measures (e g compulsory carrying of i.d. cards) which might be introduced. we understand that these questions will be studied during the production of the draft paper for the Executive Council.

Assumptions

3.

The paper assumes that, whatever the degree of deterrent, there will still be some illegal immigrants and some of these will "reach base"

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