TNAG-1781-FCO40-2541-Employment-in-Hong-Kong-various-ordinances-1988 — Page 6

A

ARR

1

་ ་

4KC

16 NOV 1988

9

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210/1

FROM:

ATE:

CO Hum

Hong Kong Department

15 November 1988

agree,

awren donent to the dath

し

bu have suggested

an

Mr McLaren

McLar

PS/Lord Glena

Glenarthur

An

1) Lette & imme

CC:

2) м Нит, нко

Thank

Mr Gillmore

MVD

WIAD

you.

вол

mes/and gleath 18/11

WORK PERMITS: DEPENDENT TERRITORIES QUOTA

Problem

1.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of

Employment, Mr Lee, has written the usual annual letter to Mr Renton

in the Home Office about the Dependent Territories Quota of work permits for 1989. A copy of Mr Lee's letter has been sent to Lord

Glenarthur for his comments. How should he respond?

Recommendation

2. I recommend that Lord Glenarthur write on the lines of the

attached draft. MVD and WIAD agree.

Background

3.

The special annual quota of work permits for the Dependent

Territories has been in existence since 1968. In recent years the

Home Office have pressed for its abolition because of its

implications for immigration. The FCO have strongly resisted this, although we had to accept in 1981 a reduction from 350 to the present level of 200 (of which there is a maximum level of 150 for any one territory in practice Hong Kong).

4.

In 1982 agreement was reached with the Home Office and the Department of Employment (who administer the scheme) that the Quota should remain at 200 but that there should be a thorough review of

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