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first, to those who had rendered us particular service in Hong Kong: and second, to the many millions more who would not be able to come to the United Kingdom, but to whom we owed an obligation to keep Hong Kong prosperous. This duty could only be carried out by offering citizenship to those who were essential to the good government and prosperity of Hong Kong up to 1997 and beyond. Right of abode would not be sufficient to achieve our aim. Moreover, if those concerned did eventually settle in the United Kingdom, they would be an asset to this country, providing jobs and entrepreneurship here. There was an inconsistency in the position taken by the signatories to the letter. They seemed perfectly willing to see people come here from Hong Kong under the provisions of existing legislation, which made it impossible for them to acquire the right of abode without actually leaving Hong Kong. That was surely worse than the Government's proposals from the point of view both of Hong Kong and the UK. We were already looking after the Asian community very well, with a steady current of immigration continuing. She was not prepared to see Britain rat on its duty or fail to meet its moral obligation. The legislation would go ahead.
Although we were given to understand that this was a private meeting, Mr. Tebbit apparently spoke afterwards to the Press Association, and told them that the Prime Minister had been
'shaken' by the news that over 80 back-bench MPs would not support the legislation. That was not the case, not least because the Prime Minister already knew this before the meeting. The Prime Minister made clear to the deputation that the Government's resolve to press ahead with the legislation was undiminished.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Stephen Wall (Foreign and Commonwealth Office), and to Murdo Maclean (Chief Whip's office).
Colin Walters, Esq.,
Home Office.
C.D. POWELL
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