TNAG-2198-FCO40-3152-Hong-Kong-nationality-spouses-and-widows-of-British-expatria-1990 — Page 45

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H 16/?

Mr Douglas French, M.P.,

House of Commons,

London SW1A OAA, United Kingdom.

Dear Mr Freach,

D2 Fiona Garden,

17 Miles, Castle Peak Road, New Territories,

Hong Kong.

4th July 1990

As you might expect from our earlier correspondence, I studied with interest columns 377 to 402 of Hansard, 13th June 1990, on the debate on the proposed amendments to the British Nationalilty (Hong Kong) Bill.

I am about to become one of your overseas constituents under the revised registration procedures, and would like to ask you once again for your help and advice. Incidentally, I am also writing to those MPs who spoke in support of the amendments to thank them for their help. They include Dame Elaine Kellett-Bowman, Sir Nicholas Bonsor and Messrs Paul Channon, Robert Maclennon, Tony Marlow, Steven Norris, D. N. Campbell-Savours, Norman Tebbit and George Foulkes.

Naturally, I am disappointed that the attempt to get British nationality for the spouses of British expatriates in Hong Kong failed, but was nevertheless pleased to see that nearly a hundred MPs understand and respect the concerns that we have for the security of our families in the run-up to 1997 and beyond.

Although I feel betrayed by the Government on this issue, there is one small crumb of comfort in that the Government has agreed that widows of British expatriates living in Hong Kong may apply for settlement in the UK. As this would seem to give some degree of protection to my wife, this goes some way towards allowing me to pursue my career with peace of mind. But it will be galling during the coming months to see the wives of many of my Chinese friends, colleagues and subordinates, none of whom have any connection with the United Kingdom, getting British citizenship while my wife will not even qualify for a settlement visa unless I die or return to the UK. Even then it will not be her right to settle: this will depend entirely upon the uncertain discretion of the Home Secretary of the day and, presumably, upon the existing draconian application procedures for settlement visas.

The Government's provision gives no protection to the spouses of fellow expatriates who are married to Thais, Philipinos, Koreans etc. It gives these expatriates no confidence whatsoever to stay in Hong Kong.

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