TNAG-0983-FCO40-1202-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 21

BY BAG

SECRET

SCR 30/2091/74

RN Pierce Esq PEKING

1 October 1980

AKK 341

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

07 OCT 1980

DECK OFFICER

3

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

AW 7/10

183A

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

You will be familiar from earlier correspondence with the background to planning concerning Operation Champion. However, we thought you would find it useful to have a copy of the memorandum discussed by the Executive Council on 10 June, which outlines the main practical details for changing the policy of allowing illegal immigrants who evade arrest to establish a legal presence in Hong Kong. The details in the enclosed copy have only been overtaken by events on a few points as follows:

2.

Para 8 (a). The requirement will be for all persona aged 15 or more to carry identity cards.

Para 8 (b). The declaration of illegal immigrants as "Unauthorized entrants' was gazetted on 20 June (our telno 772 of 16 June to FCO).

Para 9.

Adjudicators would have discretion to allow the appellant legal representation.

Para 10. The draft legislation is now being studied by an ad hoc group of unofficial members of the Executive Council and Legislative Council.

Para 11. On present plans the legislation would be Introduced into the scheduled session of the Legislative Council on Thursday 23 October.

Para 17. The announcement would be on a Thursday. There would be a 4 day grace period, including a Monday. Employers would be allowed another 11 days in which to check and record the identity documents of all their existing employees.

Para 20. You will be aware from other telegrams of the recent figures for arrests.

We shall let you know if there are any significant changes in the details of Operation Champion.

SECRET

13.