E.R.
(
19
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managed to retain the right of readmission by returning to the United Kingdom
to renew their passport. The number of such people is thought to be low and Hong Kong attach importance to our preserving the present position. Moreover it is possible that restrictions in the Rules would be ultra vires
section 1(5) of the 1971 Act.
8. The second part of paragraph 5, and paragraph 41, relate to persons admitted
under the special voucher scheme. This scheme is intended for persons who
have nowhere else to go.
Citizens.
Those admitted under it will be British Overseas
9.
Returning Residents
Paragraph 56 has been amended to give effect to a change in policy which
Ministers agreed at the end of last year, under which a returning resident
need no longer show that he was ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom when
he left.
Other Changes
10. Ministers will want to consider specifically the following changes which
have not previously been put to them. We have inserted them provisionally in
the White Paper.
(a) Businessmen, the self-employed and persons of independent means
11. The 1980 Rules for the first time introduced a specific figure for the
minimum amount of money (£100,000) which a businessman or self-employed person
must have to invest. A person wishing to enter as somecne of independent means
must have the same minimum amount under his control and disposable in the United Kingdom or an income of £10,000 a year (paragraphs 35, 38 and 110 of
the Rules).
12. By the time the new Rules are made these limits will have been in effect
for almost 3 years, and they have become eroded. The income figure was in any
case rather low when it was set. Overall inflation during the past three years has been about 45% and, on the basis of this figure and casework experience we suggest that the financial requirement for a person of independent means should be increased to £150,000 or £20,000 per annum. (The capital required of a prospective businessman should accordingly also be increased to £150,000).
13.
(b) Acceptances of passports issued by Foreign States or Governments
(paragraph 6 of the draft Rules).
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have asked for an amendment in paragraph 6 to take account of a change in their practice as regards the
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.