TNAG-1665-FCO40-2314-Hong-Kong-employment-issues-and-ordinances-foreign-domestic-1987 — Page 105

KF/A/24

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Department of Employment

Caxton House Tothill Street London SW1H 9NF

Telephone Direct Line 01-213.6620/6690

Switchboard 01-213 3000

Mr Paul, HKD

advice please.

12 1

2

43

8

4

for

cc

Ps/ Lord Glemthe PS/M Egy

Gillmore

4 November 1987

Russell Bl

14/11

Tim Renton Esq MP

Minister of State for Home Affairs

Home Office

50 Queen Anne's Gate

London SW1H 9AH

FO 1987

Dean Tim

You will recall that since 1985 the annual Dependent Territories Quota has been brought forward at existing levels. pending a review to ascertain the nature and impact of immigration involved from Hong Kong, whose citizens take all but a small handful of places.

I understand that due to competing demands on the Immigration Department, it has not been possible to complete the review.

There is a continuing heavy demand for labour in the Chinese catering industry which cannot be met from the resident labour force and I assume that the view of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the political undesirability of reducing the quota still holds good.

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Therefore I suggest that the Quota for 1988 should be the same as this year 200, with no more than 150 places allowed for any one territory. I also suggest that details of the Quot a for 1988 be announced as soon as possible in the same way as before. To this end I am enclosing a draft for an arranged Parliamentary Question.

I should be grateful for your views, and those of Simon Glenarthur, to whom I am copying this letter, as soon as possible.

witt tid mul

JOHN LEE

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