only a minority of them returning. That is precisely the problem.
71.
Mr Lester
The purpose behind the British Nationality Bill was to stem
the flow of departures. I wonder if you could give us any indication of
what the latest figures are of departures from Hong Kong on an annual
basis, and has any analysis been made of the categories of emigrants?
(Mr Maude) It is basically estimates at this stage. The current
estimate the Hong Kong Government has made is that the likely level of
emigration this year, 1990, will be about 60,000. That is about 1,100 to
1,200 a week. It will be easier to have a more authoritative figure in the
autumn.
belief
-
The Hong Kong Government believes and says it is no more than a
that the indication is at this stage that a quarter of all those
leaving come from the professional, technical, administrative and
managerial sections of the working population.
What is worrying to me, and
I think worrying to the Committee, is that a disproportionately large
number of emigrants are aged between 25 and 45, the people who are going to
be most important to the future success of Hong Kong, certainly between now
and 1997 but after 1997 as well, and this is the point I think we have to
make, to explain to the Chinese Government, and that I propose to do.
72.
Has the fact that we have passed a Bill and it is on its way
had any effect that one can discern on slowing down that particular group
of people leaving?
(Mr Maude) I think it is too early to say. It would not have come
through in the figures yet. The Bill has not, in fact, been passed yet.
It still has to go through its committee stage and third reading in the
Lords and receive Royal Assent, so that it will not be on the statute book
for a little time yet. I would not expect the real effect to be felt until
41
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