ER.
Henn 340/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
19 MAY 1986
Mr Boyle
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
HONG KONG: THE GRANTING OF SETTLEMENT TO FORMER
SERVICEMEN AND THEIR DEPENDANTS
CC.
Mr Tompkins
Mr Fries
Mr Rawsthorne
Mr Emery
Mr Seymour, LAB
751
Mr Hill, HKD, FCO
Mr JD Smith
The attached telegram numbers 1418-20 concern enquiries from the Second World
War Veterans Association about the procedure to be followed by ex-servicemen in applying for British citizenship and/or settlement, in accordance with the Government's recently announced response to the representations made from Hong Kong.
My note of 2 May to Mr Fries suggested that we might delegate authority for granting entry clearances for settlement for this well-defined category to Hong Kong. It is interesting that Hong Kong assume (Telno 1418) that applications for settlement will have to be referred. There is also a suggestion from the Association itself that these applications might be submitted en bloc. If this were done there might be some presentational advantage in going along with
Hong Kong's understanding. But if the administrative burden is likely to be considerable there seems to be a substantial argument for confirming delegated authority to Hong Kong in this particular case.
The other issue to be resolved is whether we would wish these entry clearances to be allocated a special reference number so that the IO would know that he should grant indefinite leave to enter to those in this category. This relates back to the issues discussed in my note of 2 May.
As you will see, we are asked to respond by 14 May. It is annoying to be pushed into a quick response in this way but you kindly agreed to take the lead, in my absence in Paris, in the hope that we might be able to resolve these issues in the short time available. However, if this proves impossible perhaps we could have a further discussion on my return at the end of the week.
B2 Division
DJ MCDONOUGH
12 May 1986
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.