TNAG-2185-FCO40-3122-Ethnic-minorities-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 188

CONFIDENTIAL

From:

A R Paul

Private Secretary

Date:

cc:

Hong Kong Department

11 January 1990

PS/Mr Maude

PS/Lord Brabazon

Mr McLaren

Mr McQuade, NTD

Hap 34012.

RECEIVED BY RECOTRY

07 MAR 1990

NON CHINESE ETHNIC MINORITIES IN HONG KONGESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

Problem

A B C 1.

FILE

4.

Three letters to the Secretary of State from Mr H N Harilela, President of the Council of Hong Kong Indian Associations, about the

position of the non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.

Recommendation

2.

I submit a draft reply. The Home Office agree.

Background

3.

Mr Harilela's first letter, which also went to Sir Geoffrey Howe and Mr Maude, calls for the non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong to be given British citizenship. His second letter explains that, according to the Council's latest estimate, the number of BDTCS who have no other form of nationality available to them is less than 6,000, including dependants. His third letter asks for clarification of the position of the ethnic minorities under the nationality package in the light of the Secretary of State's

Statement of 20 December.

KEWAAF

CONFIDENTIAL