TNAG-2195-FCO40-3132-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 241

POPAER

CONFIDENTIAL

320

FROM: J Morris

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 6 April 1990

cc: Private Secretary

Mr McLaren

Mr Whitehead, News Dept

PRU

Special Advisers (2)

Mr

Paul PS/Mr Xaude

"W/12/4

12/4

Ако знаен 34014

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

0 1 JUN 1990

HONG KONG BILL: SECOND READING

DESK OFFICER

REGISTRY

INDEX

PA

PAGTION-KANRE

A

1. I had a meeting with the Home Office Bill Unit this morning to

discuss preparation of briefing and drafting of speeches for the

second reading of the Hong Kong Bill.

2. The unit had discussed the attached draft outline speech with

the Home Secretary as 5 April. The Home Secretary was broadly

content but plans to make the following additional points:

a) the Bill is not an immigration measure;

b) even those who don't receive passports will benefit from a

general improvement in confidence in the territory;

c) if an Armageddon scenario occurs more than 50,000 will come

to the UK anyway;

d) there is a distinction between key personnel and elitism;

e) he will make clear that the passage of the Bill will give

Parliament an opportunity to discuss and influence the content

of the schemes.

3. The Home Secretary does not intend to use the argument that

many of these selected could come under existing Immigration Rules.

(This risked playing into the hands of opponents who have said that

legislation is unnecessary; the Home Secretary already has

CONFIDENTIAL