TNAG-2363-FCO40-3434-Visits-by-MPs-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 13

PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE

Dear Lady Juan,

Сс Miss Wilkinson

Mr Fries

Mr Yates Mr Miller Mrs Kellas

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Fields

-Car Gile

HOME OFFICE

QUEEN ANNE'S GATE

LONDON SWIH 9AT

сем

11/

10 June 1991

WIVES AND WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN

I understand that during the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to Hong Kong, some concern was expressed about the immigration status of ex-servicemen's wives and widows. It appears that some of those concerned are still unsure about their position should they wish to settle in the United Kingdom. It may therefore help if I explain the undertakings which we have given in respect of ex-servicemen and their wives and widows.

The then Home Secretary gave an assurance in April 1986 that we would grant applications for settlement from any of the 270 former servicemen in Hong Kong together with their dependants. On 19 April 1990, during the Second Reading of the Hong Kong Bill, the Home Secretary gave a further assurance that the widows of former servicemen who served in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War under the Government of Hong Kong would be allowed to come to the United Kingdom at any time, subject to certain provisos.

This means that a widow of such a former serviceman, regardless of her own or her husband's nationality, can come to the United Kingdom for settlement at any time, either before or after 1997, provided only that she is still resident in Hong Kong and has not re-married.

These assurances, which also extend to the widows of British citizens resident in Hong Kong, should remove any fears which British citizens and former servicemen may have had about whether their spouses would be allowed to settle in the United Kingdom, should they wish to do so, in the event of their own untimely death.

£ 'd I "ON

82:60 1661'61'ZI

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