TNAG-1558-FCO40-2122-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 55

Coul of Hongkong Indian Associations

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shortly after India became independent in 1947 and, having decided to settle here, renounced their Indian citizenship and became British in the expectation that they would spend the rest of their lives under British rule. They therefore severed their ties with India when they swore allegiance to the Crown.

While they would not argue with the political reality of a return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, the ethnic Indian BDTCS would like to point out that the Chinese future for Hong Kong is less attractive to them than it is to the ethnic Chinese, who will after all enjoy a far closer racial and cultural affinity with those who will constitute their future government. The Indian BDTCs' connection with Hong Kong has always been on the basis that it was British and not Chinese, and they cannot be expected to welcome living under the rule of a government with a completely different political and economic system. In contrast with many Indian communities throughout the world, the ethnic Indian community of Hong Kong is totally British in outlook and attitude.

Very few ethnic Indian BDTCs would want to leave Hong Kong under the present circumstances. They are mostly entrepreneurs who own successful businesses, controlling some 10% of Hong Kong's external trade. Many of them have spent their entire lives in Hong Kong and their families and friends are all here. Their desire for British citizenship and the right of abode in the UK is a desire for the safety net of an effective nationality. If they felt they had no choice but to exercise their right of abode, then they would surely be a boon to the British economy, and would help generate considerable employment. Mr. Leon Brittan, Trade and Industry Secretary was quoted recently as saying: "The drive and willingness to work all hours of Asian businessmen was the same spirit of enterprise the Government was doing everything possible to try to revive. (Daily Telegraph 28/11/85)

We appreciate the sensitivity of immigration policy in the UK at present and can understand that Britain may not want to enter into a further immigration commitment. However, the ethnic minority BDTCs cannot be dismissed as just another immigration case and their request must be seen in the light of their unusual historical circumstances and in the light of a state's responsiblity to provide a secure citizenship for all its nationals. They are a legacy of the British Empire and Britain must continue to be responsible for them.

Contd./