TNAG-2629-FCO40-3820-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1992 — Page 68

E.R.

In

If the changes proposed to the present scheme are agreed we suggest that Ministers

should at the same time announce that the UK is prepared to consider opening up the

scheme to non-Commonwealth countries on the basis of worthwhile cultural exchange

amongst young citizens. Officials would then consult all Commonwealth countries

asking them whether they are now prepared to make reciprocal arrangements.

addition the USA and Japan and any other countries which show an interest could be

approached to discuss reciprocal arrangements. The aim would be to report back to the

Board in say a year's time prior to seeking a decision from Ministers on both extending

the scheme beyond the Commonwealth and the future participation of Commonwealth

countries who are unable to offer reciprocal arrangements.

Next steps

19.

If the Board agrees with this paper we will invite Ministers to agree in principle

that the working holidaymaker scheme should be amended by:

i)

introducing an entry clearance requirement;

ii)

introducing a no-switching requirement;

iii)

tightening the scheme as set out in paragraph 8 above;

iv)

limiting the scheme to unmarried people and childless couples both

of whom are entering as working holidaymakers.

attruir

The Home Secretary would clearly need to seek the agreement of his colleagues to

these changes; most noticeably the Foreign Secretary would have to be consulted on the entry clearance requirement. This could be done by means of a letter to EDH colleagues copied to the Foreign Secretary. That letter could also raise the long term

future of the scheme and propose that, at the same time that any changes were

announced, Ministers should announce they were prepared to consider extending the

scheme to non-Commonwealth countries on the basis of worthwhile cultural exchange

amongst young citizens.