TNAG-2194-FCO40-3131-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 26

Mr Paul, HK

CONFIDENTIAL

Ако

340/4

RECEIVED IN REGI

0 1 JUN 1990

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

Hong Kong: Assurances

The Secretary of State has seen Mr Morris' submission of 30 March. He would like a number of amendments made to the news release, some of which I have indicated in manuscript on the draft. He would like to refer to Hong Kong "reverting to Chinese sovereignty" rather than to "Chinese rule".

The Secretary of State found the reference in the news release to "taking account of the different extent to which various groups in Hong Kong are emigrating" rather opaque. It would be better to use the kind of arguments which he used in the House of Commons i.e. that the scheme is designed to encourage essential people to stay in Hong Kong, and then to go on to the criteria.

The Secretary of State thinks it might also be worth saying in the news release that the scheme is a response to concerns in Hong Kong and in Parliament and among British companies with interests in Hong Kong.

3 April 1990

CC: PS/Mr Maude

PS/PUS

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Miss Spencer

Mr Morris, HKD

Mr Burns, News Dept Special Advisers (2)

(R N Peirce)

2971

CONFIDENTIAL

Mc

Yes. Already

passed extent to Mr Morris

Bill Unik. 3/4

P:

You have

this in

hand

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