TNAG-2188-FCO40-3125-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 183

SEBAAE

DRAFT A

We share the concern felt by many people in Hong Kong about the

emigration of talented people from the territory and about the

impact of this on Hong Kong's economy and administration. You will

already be aware of the measures we have decided to take to tackle

this problem. I enclose a copy of the statement which Douglas Hurd

made in the House of Commons on 20 December giving the details.

Our aim is to give the key people in the public and private sectors

in the territory the assurance needed to persuade them to remain in

Hong Kong. This will take the form of full British citizenship and

will be awarded without the beneficiary ever having to leave the

territory. In setting a ceiling on the scheme 50,000 householders

or about 225,000 people in all we have had to balance our desire

to be as effective as possible in restoring confidence in Hong Kong

against our ability to accept the individuals concerned for settlement in this country, should that ever be necessary.,

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In devising the scheme we have taken account of the representations

from companies in Hong Kong and this country about the need to

retain their key managers and commercial and technical personnel if

they are to remain competitive and profitable. Our scheme provides

for people in these categories. In addition, we are introducing a

further measure the approved secondments scheme described in the

statement designed specifically to help companies overcome the

problem of retaining key personnel. I hope that British companies will take full advantage of the opportunities it offers.

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We intend to introduce the necessary legislation at the earliest

opportunity. We shall also continue our efforts to maintain

confidence in Hong Kong, through the implementation of the

provisions of the Joint Declaration, by administering Hong Kong to

the best of our ability in the remaining 8 years of British rule.

As the statement makes clear, Hong Kong is a British responsibility

and one which we shall not shirk. However Hong Kong is also an