A A Blaze-Gosden Esq
"Draigsweyr"
Weston Lane Martletwy
Narberth
Pembrokeshire
Dyfed
SA67 8AT
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO...38 +40 (2)
Thank you for your letter of 24 June to the Prime Minister about the future of Hong Kong and the possibility of offering right of abode in the United Kingdom to certain Royal Hong Kong Police officers. I am sorry not to have been able to reply earlier.
I am also sorry that you should have formed the impression that the officials with whom you have corresponded do not care about the issues you have raised. This is not the case: both Ministers and officials have a real concern for the people of Hong Kong and have worked hard to secure a safe and prosperous future for them after the territory returns to Chinese sovereignty.
The Prime Minister has a high regard for the sense of loyalty and commitment shown by members of the RHKPF over the years and appreciates that there are doubts and concerns about what the future may hold in store. He attaches the first importance to the full implementation of the Joint Declaration, with all the guarantees for the continuing rule of law in Hong Kong after 1 July 1997 which it contains. is a central priority of the Government to work for this. Mr Patten has made clear his own commitment to this task. Since his arrival in Hong Kong he has also made a particular effort to meet as many police officers as possible and to listen to their views.
It
As Stephen Yorke mentioned in his letter of 26 November 1991, the Government have introduced a Nationality Scheme to provide full British Citizenship (ie with right of abode in the UK) for up to 50,000 Hong Kong people and their dependants. This Scheme makes special provision for members of the Disciplined Services, notably the police.
You do not say whether Mr
and the other
RHKP.nat/MISC/njc
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