TNAG-2629-FCO40-3820-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1992 — Page 67

E.R.

Why?

e

r because the country is not attractive to young British citizens or the local job

market rules out the possibility of temporary employment for British citizens. Equally

reciprocity need not mean that equal numbers of British and foreigners went to each

other's country in any year, provided we considered that a worthwhile cultural exchange

took place.

16. Japan and the USA have been mentioned as candidates for any extended scheme.

There would undoubtedly be pressure to consider, for example, East European States and

African States. Given the wide range of States in the Commonwealth it would be

difficult to justify a blanket refusal to consider such countries for inclusion: Ministers

would not wish to be accused of operating a "whites-only" approach. If the scheme was

extended in the long term to, say, Eastern Europe prior entry clearance would be

necessary to limit abuse. When considering any extension on the basis of "worthwhile

cultural exchange" we would need to be satisfied that there was a possibility of young

British citizens benefiting from any extension of our own scheme.

17. If the scheme is extended beyond Commonwealth countries on a reciprocal basis

this raises the question of membership of the scheme by Commonwealth countries which

are not prepared or not able to offer a similar scheme to young British citizens. To

avoid accusations of bias Ministers would need a consistent policy operated across the

board; it would not be acceptable to treat, say, New Zealand better than Nigeria. There

would appear to be three options. First, we could accept that the core of the scheme

will always be the Commonwealth and not apply reciprocity to members of the

Commonwealth. Second, Commonwealth countries which refused to operate a

reciprocal policy could be dropped from the scheme. Third, such countries could remain

in the scheme but subject to an annual quota: such a system could only be administered

sensibly through an entry clearance requirement.

18. Before Ministers are asked to reach a view on these questions we need to consult

other countries, both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth. We need to explore with

Commonwealth countries whether there is a possibility of their instituting reciprocal

arrangements for young British citizens where this does not take place now; and with

non-Commonwealth countries what possibilities of worthwhile cultural exchange exist.