HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
As my Rt Hon Friend the Foreign Secretary said on 20 December,
Hong Kong is an international centre with hugh international
investment.
Its major trading partners have a strong interest
I should
in Hong Kong's continuing stability and prosperity.
like to outline to the House the extent of the international
support which has already been offered or which is in
prospect.
Singapore has already introduced a scheme covering up to
25,000 heads of household. Within the European Community,
France is implementing a scheme to provide passports or the
right of entry to employees of French companies and their
families. The Belgian Government have in the last few days
announced a similar scheme; Germany and Luxembourg are
finalising schemes of broadly the same nature.
The House should also be aware of the proposal currently under
consideration by the US Congress that would enable Hong Kong
people granted the right to settle in the United States, upto
20,000 a year, to defer settlement there until 2002.
Such measures, whether they be specifically tailored to Hong
Kong, or whether they reflect the worldwide immigration
policies of countries concerned, are very helpful. Taken
together, they could more than double the impact of our
scheme. A number of governments are still considering
schemes; the House will understand that I cannot pre-empt
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.