BASIC LAW
Public consultation in Hong Kong over Basic Law effectively suspended for time being. Hope that developments in China will make it possible to resume work on Basic Law as soon as possible.
Basic Law of crucial importance to Hong Kong's future for at least 50 years after 1997. Recent events have not changed that reality. But if Basic Law is to command confidence in Hong Kong, important to ensure that concerns of Hong Kong people are properly catered for. When consultation and drafting process resumes, is something we shall be pressing for.
NATIONALITY/PASSPORTS
Government acutely conscious of wish of Hong Kong people to secure some form of ultimate assurance for themselves and their families. But Britain cannot make an indefinite and open-ended commitment to take several million people.
Immigration on such a massive scale would pose immense practical problems. Would test our capacity in all kinds of areas - housing, employment, transport, inner-city services to unprecedented degree. Recent report by Select Committee on Foreign Affairs reached a similar conclusion.
But we shall do everything we possibly can to provide the kind of assurances that are needed.
Firstly, we have made clear that if worst came to worst, Britain would not close door. We would do everything in our capacity to help. If numbers leaving Hong Kong were larger than we could deal with alone, we would need to look to our friends and partners in international community for help and support. Raised this at European Council in Madrid and at Economic Summit in Paris.
Secondly, are looking urgently at what we can do to make some provision for people in both the private and the public sectors on the basis of their connection with Britain and the value of their service to Hong Kong. Hope to be able to announce details of scheme before too long.
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VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
Hong Kong faces crisis as result of sheer number of Vietnamese boat people arriving there. Now over 50,000 Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. Still arriving at close to 1,000 a week.
- We are helping Hong Kong in every way we can.
In recent months we have pledged over £17 million (or over 200 million Hong Kong dollars) towards handling of this problem:
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