TNAG-2182-FCO40-3119-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 29

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29 August 1990

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NUDEGISTRY 1 SEP 1990

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ACTION

HONG KONG: IMMIGRATION ARRANGEMENTS

1.

I enclose a background paper on Hong Kong produced by the Heritage Foundation. As you will see, it is a useful contribution to the argument in favour of special immigration arrangements for Hong Kong. It has some shortcomings: there is no mention of the Morrison Bill, and the first page contains an error in claiming that the Hong Kong Government has announced that the planning of the new port or airport would be a predominantly American affair. (I understand that the Hong Kong Trade Office here has written to the Heritage Foundation about this.)

2.

Prospects for special US immigration arrangements for Hong Kong look better now than they have for some time. Following Morrison's success in getting his Bill through the Judiciary Committee (our telno 1827), Hill staffers are optimistic that some form of immigration legislation will be passed before the end of the session, notwithstanding the likelihood that Congress will be preoccupied with Hong Kong, and the Federal budget. The optimists argue that the Morrison Bill now panders to so many special interests with a large number of Congressmen would like it to succeed. Moreover, there is increasing concern about the need for new US immigration legislation which would increase the overall US quotas, and shift the balance towards admitting people on the basis of skills rather than, as at present, on the basis of family reunification.

3. There is, however, a long way to go. The Morrison Bill still has to be passed by the House, and then reconciled with the Senate Bill.

Yas, Ave Кле AA

cc: S Bradley Esq, Deputy Political

Adviser, HONG KONG

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D. Pattison