IMMIGRATION TO THE UK
CONFIDENTIAL
1. Some hon Members have raised the question of entry into the UK for certain categories of people from Hong Kong. In reply, I can do no better than to recall that my Rt Hon and learned friend the
member for Surrey East said in this House last week that he did not
believe that this Parliament or a successor would favour changes
which stimulated emigration from Hong Kong to the UK or elsewhere. Hon Members will recall the measure of support given to this view in
the subsequent debate. I must therefore reiterate that our aim
overall is to reach an agreement with Chinese which will make Hong
Kong a place with a secure and genuine future for all its
inhabitants. In addition we are looking for arrangements that would
allow Hong Kong people to enter and leave the territory freely a crucial requirement for a community so vitally dependent on external trade.
[PRESENT IMMIGRATION POSITION OF BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
CITIZENS IF REQUIRED]
2. Hong Kong British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTCS) have the right of abode in Hong Kong. They are subject to our immigration control and do not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. If a BDTC wished to come and settle in the United Kingdom he would have to qualify under an appropriate heading in the Immigration Rules approved by Parliament. There is provision in the Rules for certain categories of dependants of persons already in the United Kingdom to be admitted for settlement. There is also provision for people who can meet certain requirements to come for
employment or as businessmen or as persons of independent means. A
man so admitted may bring his wife and children under 18. To secure
entry by any of these means prior entry clearance is required. precise qualifications needed are laid down in the rules.
The
[SPECIAL CATEGORIES
-
DEFENSIVE)
3.
It has been suggested that some individuals, perhaps those with particularly close links to the Crown, might be personally at risk in or after 1997. This is of course an area where it is difficult
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