TNAG-0983-FCO40-1202-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 18

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5. The Governor has expressed concern at not being able to fix

the timing of legislation in advance (paragraph 2 of Hong Kong

(1779)

79) Telegram No 1255). The relevant extract from his Speech to the

Legislative Council is attached.)

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6.

The Governor has real problems on this point. In addition

to his concern about the growing influx of illegal immigrants which

could get out of hand if legislation and implementation are too

long delayed, there are strong technical reasons for fixing an

exact timetable in advance. In the Executive Council Memorandum

XCS(80)4 of 30 May (paragraphs 10-16), the arrangements for

legislation and implementation are described. Since an announcement

of the new measures has to be made at the same time as legislation,

it will be necessary to provide immediate facilities to deal with

the large number of people who will take advantage of the proposed

period of grace in order to register before the measures are

enforced. Hong Kong have therefore chosen a Friday (24 October)

for legislation so that the Immigration Offices can be specially

opened over the weekend in order to handle this extra business.

All this needs careful preparation and it would be extremely

difficult if the timing were to be altered at the last minute.

7. There are likely to be two stages of reaction to the new

measures: initially after the announcement; and rather later when

its impact has become apparent. While the announcement on

24 October might cause questions to be asked when Parliament

resumes on 27 October, I would not expect there to be any very

sharp criticism at that stage. Ministers could reply on the basis

/of

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