SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 546
OF 13173OZ MARCH 90
SECRET
нко 340/4
RECEIVED IN REGI
24
23 MAY 1990
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
057740 MDHOAN 4962
STRICTLY PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MCLAREN, AUSS
(181)
YOUR TELNO 892: UK NATIONALITY PACKAGE
1. YOU MIGHT APPRECIATE AN ACCOUNT OF WHERE MATTERS NOW STAND. THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE OD (K) PAPER DUE TO CIRCULATE TONIGHT WILL CONTAIN, AS FORECAST, FOUR COMPONENTS:
(A) A GENERAL ALLOCATION SCHEME:
(B) A KEY ENTREPRENEURS SCHEME (500 PLACES):
(C) A DISCIPLINED SERVICES SCHEME:
(D) A SENSITIVE SERVICES SCHEME.
RESERVE CATEGORY
2. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SPOKE TO THE HOME SECRETARY OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT THE ADDITION OF A RESERVE CATEGORY AND THE HOME SECRETARY SUBSEQUENTLY MINUTED TO THE PRIME MINISTER. THE UPSHOT IS THAT THE ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS CATEGORY, EARLIER OMITTED, WILL BE REINSTATED. THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ALSO AGREED TO THE CREATION OF A QUOTE CONTINGENCY RESERVE UNQUOTE WITH TWO PROVISOS. FIRST, A STRICT NUMERICAL LIMIT OF NO MORE THAN 500. SECOND, THAT THIS SHOULD APPLY TO PEOPLE WITH TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS WHOSE CONTINUED PRESENCE CAN BE DEMONSTRATED TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESSFUL ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY UP TO 1997 AND WHO ARE NOT INCLUDED UNDER ANY OTHER CATEGORY. THE PAPER WHICH IS CIRCULATING TODAY WILL CONTAIN A PROVISION FOR A RESERVE CATEGORY BROADLY IN THESE TERMS. WE HOPE THAT THE PRIME MINISTER'S WORDING WILL NOT BE CARVED IN TABLETS OF STONE. AS IT STANDS IT IMPLIES THAT THE RESERVE SHOULD BE USED ONLY FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE, WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE BEEN THE INTENTION.
APPROVED SECONDMENT SCHEME
3. THE HOME SECRETARY HAS RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO SET OUT IN THE PAPER THE PROS AND CONS OF A SECONDENT SCHEME, BASED ON CITIZENSHIP, ALTHOUGH HE REMAINS OPPOSED TO THE IDEA. IT WOULD BE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 500 AND COUNT AGAINST PLACES OTHERWISE AVAILABLE UNDER THE GAS. A DECISION WILL BE LEFT TO MINISTER AT
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