TNAG-2198-FCO40-3152-Hong-Kong-nationality-spouses-and-widows-of-British-expatria-1990 — Page 127

The Concerned British Expatriates' Society

Mr Paul Channon MP

House of Commons

London SW1A OAA

April 30, 1990

16 MAY 1990

Flat F, 6th floor,

3-3G Robinson Road Hong Kong

Chairman: Julian Walsh

Office: 844-4988

Fax: 877-2638 Home: 845-0859

Dear Mr Channon,

You will recall our meeting during your recent visit to Hong Kong. 1 met you with one of my colleagues and with Mr Lord and Mr Hayward to discuss the circumstances of the non-British spouses of British citizens in Hong Kong -

We listened with great interest to the recent debate and were most encouraged to hear you raise our issue, for which we thank you.

Whilst the Government has indicated some appreciation of our situation

In fact, the measures taken are not sufficient to encourage us to stay. the inadequacy of the provisions offered by the Home Secretary will in most cases reinforce our concerns and hence may lead to an even greater departure from Hong Kong of British citizens.

I take the liberty of enclosing a paper which sets out in some detail our circumstances and our concerns. The Home Secretary's recent statements sought, no doubt in good faith, to give us confidence. Unfortunately they have made us realise that unless something can be

a matter of done we will need to reconsider our future in Hong Kong as

urgency.

What we seek is an amendment to the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill to address our circumstances. I have sent a copy of the enclosed paper to your parliamentary colleagues sitting on the committee. If you are able to give us any assistance in achieving our objectives we would of course be most grateful

The members of our group are aware of your support to date and on their behalf I would like to thank you.

Yours faithfully,

الله

Julian Walsh

Chairman