(10)
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the territory as an attempt by Britain to protect her own interests at the expense of Hong Kong's.
Top Businessmen
8.
HKG believe that there is a risk that top entrepreneurs like
Li Ka Shing would be unlikely to apply under a points scheme where
there was any chance of failure (and some, by virtue of their age, lack of formal education and proficiency in English might well
fail). While recommendation by the Steering Group effectively
outside the points scheme, might be criticised as elitist, it would
clearly not be tenable for Ministers to face criticism in Parliament
that we had produced a package which could not find room among
50,000 places for a handful of people like Li Ka-Shing.
The Garrison
9.
During discussions with the Bill Unit last week at HMS Tamar,
CBF's advisers revealed that up to 50% of locally engaged civilians
could be replaced by privatising services, and that, if necessary, UK based service personnel would have to be drafted in to replace
LEPS who resigned before 1997. LEPS and LECS are not emigrating and
there is no requirement for a garrison beyond 1997. Since the
scheme is designed to anchor Hong Kong people beyond 1997, their
case for inclusion in the package
-
is not strong.
If we argue that the garrison will have to take their chances under
the scheme on the same terms as everyone else, this makes it more
difficult for us to argue that special treatment should be given to
the British Council, BTC and other staff of British institutions.
Although the points awarded for British links may be expected to
give them the edge over similarly qualified applicants, this will
not necessarily guarantee that they will qualify in competition with
better qualified candidates. This is a point to which we will need
to give further consideration.
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Redacted under FOI exemption section 27(1)
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