TNAG-2371-FCO40-3446-Hong-Kong-nationality-UK-passport-scheme-British-Nationalit-1991 — Page 137

From The Minister of State

P G Manson LL B

Borough Solicitor and Secretary

Town Hall

Brighton Street

Wallasey

Wirral

Merseyside L44 8ED

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

3 January 1991

APS lord cauthness authness Thank you

package

Julia Knowlton,

3.1.91

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HONG KONG

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McMorrin

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71,

I sent a copy of your letter of 27 November about the Council's resolution on Hong Kong to the Foreign Secretary as promised. He has asked me to reply giving his views.

The Government have made it clear that it would be impossible for it to give the right of abode in the United Kingdom to all British Dependent Territories Citizens in Hong Kong. That would be an enormous new immigration commitment on an unprecedented scale. It would be totally unacceptable to the British Parliament and the majority of the British people.

The British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act provides for full citizenship to be given to 50,000 key people from all walks of life in Hong Kong, and their dependents, without their having to leave the teriitory. By encouraging such people to remain in Hong Kong and to continue to contribute to Hong Kong's success, the Act should benefit the whole community.

The Council's Resolution also refers to contacts with the Chinese authorities. The Government are conducting a continuous and persistent dialogue with the Chinese Government to ensure the faithful implementation of the Sino British Joint Declaration, which provides for a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong after 1997.

Yours sincerely

Ladakhater

LYNDA CHALKER

alher