TNAG-1899-FCO40-2697-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-1989 — Page 102

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HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN

PSIDUS

25 January 1989

Mr Gillmore Mr McLoven

SEAD, Lead Cavise Mr Reoscicle,

We need a plan for taking forward the arrangements agreed with the Prime Minister and recorded in the No 10 letter of 20 December to my Private Secretary.

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I enclose a first draft, prepared in the Home Office, of a statement the immigration and nationality position which could be handed to selected people in Hong Kong or in response to general enquiries made elsewhere. This sets out, in general terms, both the normal requirements and the possibilities for the exercise of flexibility. As agreed with the Prime Minister, however, (because of the risk of its falling into hands other than those it is designed for, with consequential impact upon immigration control generally) it does

set out explicitly the outer limits within which I am prepared to exercise my discretion in especially compelling cases of the kind we have in mind. In particular, it does not spell out the possibility of granting settled immigration status in as little as two years from entry. Nor, on the other hand, is it full of the caveats and small print which one would expect to find in a published document. will therefore have to be used with care, and as an aid to and not a substitute for discussion and more authoritative advice tailored to the particular circumstances. With this in mind, I also attach a covering note which goes a little further into some of the main points, and may therefore help those handling conversations of this kind, and which also suggests a contact point in my Department for more detailed enquiries.

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To that

The first thing will be to settle the form of the notes. end, I am sure you will wish to consult the Governor of Hong Kong. I should be glad to consider any revisions which you recommend or which occur to David Young. I think it will then be for you and presumably, for instance so far as the trade bodies are concerned, David Young to take forward the process of identifying individuals and approaching them. I expect that you will for your part be proceeding through the Governor of Hong Kong.

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We have set up arrangements in the Home Office to record enquiries and applications reaching us from Hong Kong businessmen from the beginning of this year, and their outcome so far as it is known. This will enable us to contribute our part to the regular reports for which the Prime Minister has asked. Formal applications for entry clearance are, however, made to overseas posts before being referred to the Home Office, and you may think it best to record applications received at that stage, too, So as to bring them within the framework of the reports as soon as possible. You will also wish to record the number of approaches made, and of enquiries received overseas. My officials would be glad to discuss with yours the form of the reports to No 10.

The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, QC., MP.

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25 JAN 1989 LETTER HURD - SECRETARY