TNAG-2190-FCO40-3127-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 175

CONFIDENTIAL

X

elitist and (b) those who are concerned (particularly with

a view to the possibility that some recipients will come to

the UK) to ensure that citizenship is concentrated on those

with a very high level of qualification. But we would be happy to discuss the option, and the possible impact on

organisations such as the Garrison, at the Home Secretary's

meeting on Monday.

(b)

Criteria for allocation of points

Individuals will be selected within occupational groups by

a points system. The criteria for the award of points are set out in paragraph 9 of Annex B, with further details in

pages

of that Annex. Three warrant particular attention at this stage.

(i) British links Up to 50 points (out of a maximum

of 800) will be available for British Links. They can

be earned for a wide variety of connections with

Britain but the most important should be long term

employment with a British organisation.

Up to 30 points will be available for this. Some might argue

that the weighting should be heavier, but it would be

difficult to give more points for employment with a

British organisation than for employment with the Hong

for th Kong Government, and any significant increase there

would jeopardise the desired ratio between the public

and private sectors.

(ii) Knowledge of English

Given that the purpose

of the scheme is to keep key people in Hong Kong,

rather than have them come to the UK, it seems right

that knowledge of English should be reflected in points

awarded, rather than that anyone should be disqualified

by a lack of it. In practice, in the professional

CONFIDENTIAL