CONFIDENTIAL
If we are to secure their active support for the Bill, we
must find some means of responding to their needs.
5. Other governments (for example, France, West Germany
and Belgium) are taking steps to cater for the interests of
their companies in Hong Kong; we would be particularly
vulnerable to criticism if it seemed we were doing much less
for our own companies than other countries. I do not think
that the "British links" element in the points system (a
maximum of 50 points out of 800), to which you referred in your
separate minute of 27 March to the Prime Minister, would
be seen by British firms as giving a sufficient advantage
to their employees.
6. I hope that you can agree that the advantages of this
solution outweigh the difficulties. Parliament would, of
course, have to be told of our intention, but I believe that
the measure would be well supported. As long as our intentions
were clearly announced, it would be unnecessary to spell
out details, or to make any changes to the Immigration Rules,
at this stage. This could be left until later if that were
thought helpful in terms of handling the Bill.
7. I am copying this minute to members of OD(K) and to
Sir Robin Butler.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
30 March 1990
CONFIDENTIAL
TH.
(DOUGLAS HURD)
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