TNAG-2195-FCO40-3132-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 80

FROM HONG KONG BILL UNIT

2.

04.19.1990 11:11

NO, 2 P. 3

emphasise that our proposals, far from contravening the Joint

Declaration signed in 1984, are designed to carry out the

Agreement's central purpose - which is to maintain Hong Kong's

prosperity and stability in the run-up to 1997.

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The Bill addresses a real and present threat to that objective.

There are plenty of people who still want to go and live in Hong

Kong - largely I have to say people without skills wanting to

reap the economic benefits of making their homes there. But

are also many people leaving, and they include

professional, managerial and technical personnel in proportions

far in excess of their numbers in the population. Indeed, 24%

of all emigrants come within those categories but represent only

5.5% of Hong Kong's population. 13% of Hong Kong's information

science professionals (a classification which includes computer

experts) have been leaving each year. Hong Kong's economy and

stability cannot indefinitely survive such a haemorrhage of

talent and enterprise.

The rationale for the proposals now before the House remains as

set out by my Rt Hon friend the Foreign Secretary in his

statement on 20 December. First, current rates of emigration and

reduced confidence pose a real threat to Hong Kong's stability