Before we reach
a decision, however, it would be useful to have any estimate you can
give us of the number and nature of similar cases in which the
police, or any other branch of the Hong Kong Government, might be
inclined to offer a similar degree of support (including those on
the Administrative Officers list). This is not because there is a "quota" - there is not, and it would be unlawful for us to set one
in this context. The Home Secretary would grant to those who he was
satisfied met the criteria. But we do need a better picture of how (and how consistently) the criteria are being applied in Hong Kong's endorsements. Would the Hong Kong police routinely support every such case, or is each considered on its merits? And how does this
compare with practice within the Hong Kong Government? There have
certainly been one or two cases recently in which the "civilian" side of the Hong Kong Government has made it plain that it saw no
link between the naturalisation of the wife of a serving officer and the interests of the employing department and its service to United Kingdom interests.
I hope you do not mind my approaching you on a matter which is partly yours and partly for the police. But I am well aware how sensitive these issues are in Hong Kong, and it seemed best to ask
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