CONFIDENTIAL
SIR ROBIN BUTLER'S VISITS TO THE US AND CHINA,
17-21 SEPTEMBER
HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: US
Background
1. The Morrison Immigration Bill was approved by the House Judiciary Committee at the beginning of August. The Bill contain Hong Kong related provisions to increase the annual
quota of immigrant visas for Hong Kong to 20,000 and to
allow beneficiaries to defer their settlement in the US
until the year 2002, provided they remain eligible; and to
provide 15,000 additional visas to be issued through 1992/93
to employees of US firms in Hong Kong who also would not
have to use them until the year 2002. It is likely that
the Bill will be debated on the floor of the House in the
latter half of September. It still has some obstacles to
overcome.
2. Although in some ways the Bill is not ideal (eg. by increasing the quota, it might encourage people to emigrate), it does have the advantage of giving people an
option to defer their decision until after 1997. It is unlikely that anything better will emerge.
3. The Administration itself is favourably disposed to
taking measures to give Hong Kong people the kind of
assurances we are seeking and if this subject is raised, it
can be said that we welcome this initiative. It would also
be useful to have any further feedback from the Administration on their likely support for the Bill.
NOBAEH/1
CONFIDENTIAL
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