TNAG-2188-FCO40-3125-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 124

EY DAY MOTION NO: 247

HONG KONG

Speaking Note

We have noted the views referred to in the motion. My right

honourable Friend the Foreign Secretary addressed the subject

during his statement on 17 January on his visit to Hong Kong. The

House will have ample opportunity to debate the issues during the

passage of the legislation which he announced in his statement on

20 December.

Background Note (Not for use)

1. The Foreign Secretary's statement on 20 December explained the background to the decision to enact legislation to grant citizenship to a maximum of 50,000 key Hong Kong personnel (228,000 including their dependants) in both the public and private sectors, in order to anchor them in the territory. Work is in hand on the legislation itself and on defining the rules for the selection of candidates under the scheme (these would be set out in regulations to accompany the main bill). It is hoped that it will be possible to introduce this into the House before the Easter recess.

2. The motion reserves the House's position on the exact number and the details of the selection scheme. In arriving at its final decision Cabinet took into account the firm views of a number of back benchers who were firmly opposed to any commitment to further immigration. For this reason it would not be advisable for the Leader of the House to "support" the feelings referred to in the motion. Additionally, until the details of the selection scheme are defined it would be preferable not to expose Ministers to debate during which questions might centre on those details.

3. The motion refers to "the proposed admission" of skilled Hong Kong Chinese. As the Foreign Secretary made clear in his statement, the proposals are designed not to encourage immigration into this country but to persuade to remain in Hong Kong those whom we need to retain there.

POPADI