TNAG-2636-FCO40-3827-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-undertakings-1992 — Page 16

113

CONFIDENTIAL

COVERING HONG KONG SECRET

John Morris Esq

Hong Kong Department

FCO

HKD 34013

Wan Johor.

سهما

•IEU

British Trade Commission Hong Kong

28 October 1992

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Kurs Bones Jones downe pa with

STEERING COMMITTEE ON BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME

Call

مل

1. The Committee met again on 27 October and I enclose, usual, copies of the papers circulated.

4/11

But Nationality Act

papeas?

bill not

Registry please

b/n 2 weeks.

PAPERS ON

as

HKD 340/3

ANNEXE

2.

The main topic on the agenda was the analysis of arrangements for the second phase. The authors of paper SC107/902 were congratulated for the thoroughness of the review. Attention focused particularly on the basis for allocating figures to the various groups. Inevitably, perhaps, the breakdown for phase 1 had been based on historic immigration figures. In the light of experience it was felt that weighting should be given to demand arising within the various categories. The Secretariat circulated a computer print-out of the figures that would be produced by giving different weights to the two factors (ie historic immigration figures on the one hand and, on the other, demand within each sector). It was pointed out that the application of the criteria for phase 1 had resulted in certain unevenness, some quite high quality people being turned down in oversubscribed classes while the barrel was scraped in others to fill the quota. It was felt that equal weighting should be given to the two criteria (ie the column in the middle of the chart), perhaps for no other reason than that no logical basis could be found for a split on a different basis.

3. Applying the same rationale to the disciplined services, certain problems were foreseen. It was pointed out that the services themselves would scrutinise carefully the breakdowns for the two phases, and the police might well object to an apparent cut in their quota. It was felt nevertheless that the same standard should be applied.

4. The Chief Secretary will now minute the Governor recommending that a delegation be sent to the Home Office to talk the proposals through. It was thought that a new Order in Council would be required, but of a simple nature avoiding the need for parliamentary debate.

CONFIDENTIAL

COVERING HONG KONG SECRET