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ssible, Chinese students should seek to keep their passports valid and up to date. In cases of genuine financial difficulty, the Home Office would be prepared to remove employment restrictions. As regards our attitude to the Chinese Government, we had already taken action to stop high level visits. The European Council in Madrid had issued a statement - of which she gave the delegation copies - setting out the measures which all Twelve members of the European Community were taking.
The delegation were well satisfied with these assurances. However, one or two of them raised questions about their longer term future. Those who had been most active in demonstrations were likely to find it hard to return to China so long as the present regime lasted. In those circumstances, would they be able to have permission for an extended stay in the United Kingdom? The Prime Minister said that she thought they should see their future in terms of returning to China to help build a better society there. Applying for political asylum was a major step and should only be done after the most careful consideration. The delegation made clear that they
not thinking in terms of asylum, but of permission to stay until conditions in China changed. The Prime Minister said that this would be looked at on a regular basis when it came to renewing visas.
We have subsequently told the Press that the Prime Minister has seen a delegation to discuss these issues and provide reassurances. We have not given any names.
I am copying this letter to the Private Secretaries to the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Social Security and the Minister for Overseas Development.
R. N. Peirce, Esq.,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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CHARLES POWELL
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