TNAG-2191-FCO40-3128-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 156

L

CONFIDENTIAL

ie the last seven groups on the list. Annex C3 shows the

revised allocation which would result.

17. It would be feasible to draw the line higher up the

list, although certain categories likely to be regarded as

key in Hong Kong, such as teaching staff, appear quite low

down. An alternative approach would be not to tie ourselves

exclusively to emigration rates, but to select occupational

categories for inclusion or exclusion on а subjective assessment of their value. This would be very strongly

disliked in Hong Kong, however, and on balance I see

advantage in being able to rely on some objective basis for

deciding which Occupations should be included. The

emigration data which HKG have collected from a variety of

sources offers a reasonable way forward.

18. I therefore recommend that HKG should be asked to rework the table excluding those broad occupational groups

with an emigration rate of 1% or less. It is likely that

some Of the remaining groups will also contain sub- categories with an emigration mate below that level and I

shall ask officials to explore, with the help of HKG whether

it would be desirable or feasible to exclude those also,

and to report back. I will write to colleagues shortly with

the results.

(ii) Selection

19. Within each group, applicants will be assessed using

a points system based on a range of factors the most important being age (to target

target the 30-40 year olds), education and experience. British links, knowledge of

English, and service

service to community will also count. Dual

nationals, who already have an assurance that they can go

to another country, will have 200 points deducted from their

CONFIDENTIAL