TNAG-1845-FCO40-2620-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 119

1989-03-23

13:57

G. I.S

33 P.31

if a

both

not

should Bust say that yes there is a disadvantage to Hong Kong large number of talented people from Hong Kong go and settle elsewhere and don't return to Hong Kong. But the immigration policies of

They those countries are world-wide immigration policies. targeted on Hong Kong. it just so happens that Hong Kong which has very large number of highly talented people fits the profile of immigration policies very well.

hose

here.

Q:

Would you agree that to offer them abode three and a quarter million of them, in the 1962 sense. would actually damage Hong Kong ?

Governor:

*

those

they

called

have What

who 1s being suggested by

the United advocated this is not that people would have to move to

should have it Kingdom to establish right of abode, but that they anyhow and the argument would go that if people have that right

If would see no reason to move.

they are looking for what I've an insurance policy and they are looking to Canada, there is no option What except to move physically and settle in Canada or in Australia.

an automatic right of people have been suggesting is that if they had

Kong because abode in UK they would see no reason to move from Hong

As I said a good deal most of them actually like living in Hong Kong. of sympathy for what people in Hong Kong have said and I have a deal of understanding for the feelings and historical lie behind this particular issue and that.....

years now,

great

feelings That

behind it for many

C:

think this HOW. in your expert view, do you

Do YOU xind of discussion we are having now is viewed in Beijing?

idea that if think there is any strong feeling either way on this

Hong people had other right of abode they would be readier to stay in Kong and insure and underwrite its prosperity and future.

Governor:

I don't. Chairman. have any knowledge of

It may particular point or any information that could help on it. something that the committee would wish to ask in Peking when they there.

that

be

gC

0:

We've kept

I

do that. the interrupt Could We just

You

I think we certainly would wish to

and

have to here you

long time a proceedings anyway, for which I earlier apologised. touch briefly on another subject which could take many hours and is severe headache for you and indeed for policy-makers here and that

The memorandum which the position of the Vietnamese boat people.

coming to kindly supplied sets out the numbers who have been crowded territory of Hong Kong and have to be accommodated since 1979 Now, you've beon quoted, I don't think this is incorrect weeks. as being in favour of forcible repatriation, is and

you think that is really the only practical solution

do

problem ?

the

in recen

correc to th

that

30