2
so that they can continue to make their contribution to the success and prosperity of the territory. We have to weigh in the balance ability to accept the individuals concerned for settlement in this country should that ever be necessary. We have to set this reality against our desire to be as effective as possible in restoring confidence in Hong Kong.
·
If, as has often been suggested, we gave the right of abode to all British Dependent Territories Citizens in Hong Kong, we could if that right was exercised create unacceptable strains here. If, on the other hand, we kept the scheme too narrow, it would fail in its purpose and at the end of the day we might be faced with a much more severe problem.
After careful detailed consideration over several months, we have concluded that the assurance to be given should take the form of full British citizenship which would be awarded to recipients without their having to leave Hong Kong. The scheme will cover a maximum number of 50,000 households.
Not all the assurances would be distributed initially., in order to spread the administrative load and to give opportunities for those who may move into key positions in Hong Kong in later years, we shall hold back a proportion of the allocations for later in the life of the scheme. The best current estimate of the total numbers of people, including dependents, who might receive British Citizenship in this way is 225,000. The scheme would cease by 1997 and it is thus strictly limited in scope and time.
Beneficiaries will be selected on the basis of a points system which will embrace people from a wide range of walks of life in Hong Kong. It will cover professional and business people, people working in ecucational and health services, those with particular technical and managerial skills, as well as those in the public and disciplined services. The decisive criteria will be the value of the individuals' service to Hong Kong and the extent to which people in their category of employment are emigrating.
Provision will also be made within the overall total for those who, by virtue of their position, may find themselves vulnerable in the years ahead. Long service with British institutions in Hong Kong will be taken into account. So will knowledge of the English Language.
In addition to this scheme but again within the total numbers I have given, the Government propose to introduce a special measure which is designed to help companies and institutions in Hong Kong to retain their key personnel. We intend to reduce substantially the period of residence in this country which employees of such organisations would have to fulfil in order to achieve settled status and later citizenship. For those accepted on this scheme, employment or service in Hong Kong together with a period of residence in the UK would after a total period of five years result in citizenship. The companies and institutions concerned would arrange secondments of key personnel for work or training in the United Kingdom for relatively short periods of time, thereby minimising any disruption to their work in Hong Kong.
We intend to introduce the necessary legislation at the earliest opportunity which will provide for the grant of citizenship to
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.