TNAG-1561-FCO40-2125-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 213

Council of Hongkong Indian Associations

Contd. 2

On 8th non-Chinese) unanimously supported our objective. January 1986 the Council unanimously passed a formal motion asking the Hong Kong Government to urge HMG, inter alia, to grant our objective. This motion thus enjoyed the support of both Official and Unofficial Members, and of representatives of all the ethnic groups in Hong Kong. It is regretted that there was no reference to the backing given by the Council to our aims in the Conservative Party briefing paper prepared for the parliamentary debates ("briefing paper").

In the debates in Parliament on 16th January 1986 (House of Commons) almost all speakers, and on 20th January 1986 (House of Lords) all speakers, irrespective of party, urged our case upon HMG. Indeed the Front Bench spokesman for Her Majesty's Opposition in the House of Commons, Mr. Alf Dubs MP, formally undertook that if his party were returned to power it would "sympathetically review our claims" (Hansard 1304).

Furthermore you will also be aware, we have no doubt, of the considerable volume of support that our case has attracted in the responsible press, both in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. We instance as evidence of the former articles which appeared in the Economist of 11th January 1986, in the Sunday Times on 12th January 1986, and in the Financial Times on 18th

We instance as evidence of the January 1986 (copies enclosed). latter articles which appeared in the Hong Kong Standard on 22nd January 1986, and in the South China Morning Post on 9th January 1986 and 22nd January 1986 (copies enclosed).

The fact that HMG was not prepared in the course of or as a result of the debates to give any indication that it had changed its mind naturally caused us concern. It should be stressed, however, that our claims continue to attract the support of the Hong Kong community (see, for example, the enclosed article in the South China Morning Post of 30th January 1986). It is an

You will, we are issue which transcends ethnic boundaries. sure, have had this confirmed in discussions between your Department and officials in the Hong Kong Immigration and Legal Departments, which took place in London on 3rd February.

We are, however, consoled by the statement of Mr. Waddington on behalf of HMG that the purpose of the debate was "that the Government could listen to and study various points of view before laying a final draft (of the Order) and asking the Houses' approval. I have listened, and we shall study" (Hansard 1304). We are confident that HMG will honour that pledge and

At least that, once studied, our arguments will carry the day.

one prominent member of the House of Lords, Lord Geddes, whose views command considerable respect on both Hong Kong and nationality matters, has changed his mind in our favour on this issue.

Contd./