SECRET
HONG KONG ASSURANCES:
SPEAKING NOTE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE'S
CONVERSATION WITH THE HOME SECRETARY
Points to Make
A: OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES
-
Governor seriously concerned about exclusion of over 80% of
working population of Hong Kong from even a token chance of success.
Argues that key to acceptability of package in Hong Kong was that it ranged widely across all sectors; everyone had a chance of
success, however small.
Concerned that proposed changes would provoke strong criticism in
Hong Kong which would play back here, thereby complicating passage
of Bill.
A
Propose an additional "reserve category" under which people not covered elsewhere might apply. These would be "other key personnel who perform essential functions and whose continued presence in Hong
Kong is demonstrably in public interest". (Eg air traffic
controllers, first class interpreters and translators, housing estate managers.)
Numbers would not be large. Minimum 1,000: Governor, however,
sees advantages in figure of at least 2,000. Could make it clear
that only very exceptional applicants likely to succeed. Would have
the presentational advantage of our being able to say that no
employment category was by definition excluded.
B:
APPROVED SECONDMENT SCHEME
Reluctant to lose the Approved Secondment Scheme and thereby
alienate major British companies whose support we need.
Equally, do not want to complicate the Bill if this can be
avoided.
HOTAAF
SECRET
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