TNAG-2194-FCO40-3131-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 152

CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL

POSSIBLE PRESS QUESTIONS

1.

Has the scheme been agreed in detail between HMG and HKG?

Have been extensive discussions between HMG and HKG, but

final details will not be settled until Parliament has had

an opportunity to express it's views.

2.

Did Ministers amend the scheme proposed by HKG?

how?

If so,

Has been a good deal of discussion between HKG and HMG on

basis of proposals put forward by Hong Kong, and of course

changes have emerged, initiated by both sides.

Idea of a scheme based on Occupational groups and

emigration rates was proposed by HKG, as were the criteria

for award of points, and proposal for separate provision

for important groups such as the disciplined services. Principal change was some modification of occupational groups under General Allocation Section.

If pressed on removal of occupational groups

-

-

Ministers felt that citizenships should be focused on а

more limited though still wide range of key occupations

than originally suggested by HKG, with a residual category

to pick genuinely key people working elsewhere.

Believe

CONFIDENTIAL