CONFIDENTIAL
2.
groups where most of the personnel are not key. However, that could lead to criticism in Parliament on their behalf, and to pressure to reinstate some of the broad groups we have decided over the past couple of weeks to rule out. The alternative would be to have a new residual category to pick up
individuals who did not fall within the seven broad groupings
of the General Allocation Scheme, but of whom it could be said that they were key personnel performing essential functions for Hong Kong. If we went down this route, I would want to keep the numbers strictly limited so that only the most highly qualified people filling genuinely key roles stood any chance of qualifying.
4.
Of the two options described above, I would myself favour the creation of a small residual category. I believe that it would be of very real help presentationally, both here and in Hong Kong, and that it would also help us resist the pressure which might otherwise arise to reinstate in their own right some of the occupational groups which we have decided to exclude. I understand that Douglas Hurd, to whom I am copying this minute, shares this view. If you are content, I shall raise this possibility in the OD (K) paper.
5.
I am sending copies of this minute to the Foreign Secretary and to Sir Robin Butler.
12. March 1990
CONFIDENTIAL
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