TNAG-2183-FCO40-3120-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 50

CONFIDENTIAL

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HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: SUMMARY OF RESPONSES

Country

Australia

AKD340

RECEN

INDEA

20 OCT 1990

ICER

PA

Belgium

REGISTH, Action Taken

Brief Summary of Responses

There is scope for deferred residence under Australia's existing immigration

regulations but we have heard they may

tighten these up. The Australians are

also looking at our proposed secondment

scheme. We still await news of

Australian Cabinet's review of policy on

Hong Kong including immigration but the

Australians will not introduce a scheme

especially for Hong Kong. Despite our representations they will be sticking to their worldwide immigration policy.

Australian Minister for Immigration confirmed this during his visit to Hong

Kong on 4 September.

Belgians do not object to us referring publicly to Belgian scheme. Are offering permanent Belgian residence permits to about 50 employees of Belgian companies in Hong Kong without the need

for legislation.

Canada

Like Australia the Canadians have

confirmed that they do not intend to

introduce a scheme similar to our right

of abode legislation but they have

agreed to consider our request that full

use be made of the flexibility in the

returning residence rules and to see if

they can be more helpful to company trainees (on the lines of our approved secondment scheme). We are told that

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