TNAG-2190-FCO40-3127-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 156

Sir David Alliance

Coats Viyella Plc

28 Savile Row

LONDON

W1X 2DD

DRAFT LETTER FOR SIGNATURE BY THE PRIME MINISTER

Thank you for your letter of 29 January about the admission of

overseas nationals with entrepreneurial skills.

I very much welcome your interest, and as you know I fully

share the view that entrepreneurs have a crucial role to play

in promoting and sustaining economic growth. Indeed the

growth of the small business sector during the 1980s reflects

the Government's concern that those with the flair, drive and

ideas to succeed in business should be given every opportunity

to do so. Of course a number of these small businesses have

become national and international concerns and I can not agree

that entrepreneurship is contrary to the national character.

Nevertheless, there is plenty of room in the market place for

more entrepreneurs whatever their country of origin.

I do not accept that the Immigration Rules which regulate the

admission of such people are unduly restrictive. It is

certainly not our intention to exclude those who can bring

positive benefits to this country. As you will appreciate

immigration policy has to balance a number of complex

considerations. We have obligations, for example to the

families of people living here and to refugees, and we also

have to ensure that we do not take in more people then we can

absorb without placing undue pressure both on our social and

economic infrastructure and on community relations.