TNAG-2195-FCO40-3132-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-1990 — Page 89

1355

REVISED 19.4.90

pa

E.R.

HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY ) - BILL:

SPEAKING NOTE ON THE MONEY

RESOLUTION

HiCD

340/4

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY 0 1 JUN 1990

Taken

Mr Speaker, this House has just endorsed the principle of a

citizenship package for Hong Kong. It has thus willed the ends

and we are asked now to will the means and this short debate is

about providing the means.

As the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum indicates, our best

estimate is that the Bill will result initially in an overall

increase in public service manpower of seven and that there will

be additional costs to the United Kingdom of £800,000 per annum

at current prices. However this spending will be reimbursed by

the Hong Kong Government.

The great majority of the administration costs arising from this

measure will be incurred by the Hong Kong Government. It is a

Bill for the benefit of Hong Kong and the selection scheme can

only be implemented there.

It is the Governor who has the local knowledge and the necessary

administrative machinery to process the very large number of

applications expected.

As indicated in the explanatory note which we have laid before

the House,

Ur Waltes

cc Miss Craig

Mr Yates

the Governor envisages that the main part of this

Mr Chisham

My Sandiford Miss Davies

Mr Hammand Mr Page

Mr. Lavydan

Mr Stadler

Mr Ramell

Mr Mooney Mr Hale

1

Mr Manis

Mr Kinney

Ms emmsey Mr I Mans, FCO

Hammytar Nr K Whour. The asun

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Mr