TNAG-2638-FCO40-3830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1992 — Page 12

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

18 November 1992

98

香港立法局

一九九二年十一月十八日

98

application sympathetically in the light of the circumstances." On a subsequent occasion in 1986, Mr Deputy President, Mr David WADDINGTON, who was then Minister in the Home Office, repeated a similar statement.

The Indian community in Hong Kong continued with their lobbying efforts resulting in the Foreign Affairs Committee's report giving a statement to the effect that they did not believe that this assurance was sufficient. And despite the support of this Council in the past, the British Government has not done anything specific for this particular group of people. Both statements, Mr Deputy President, are expressions of hope and are heavily qualified. We are dealing with, of course, a very limited number of persons who fall within the description in my amendment. I really do not want to hear the British Government or indeed the Hong Kong Government repeating that statement for a third time and that is why I believe that we should now press the British Government to make an unqualified statement in that regard. My amendment does not call for British citizenship instantaneously or indeed the right of abode for the non- Chinese ethnic minority now. We must not forget the rest of the people in Hong Kong who hold BDTC passports and who have to compete for that 50 000 passports to be issued under the Nationality Scheme.

Mr Deputy President, I think the sentiment behind Mr McGREGOR's motion and my amendment is really almost the same except that my amendment makes it specific and makes it clear. And if it is adopted and passed by this Council I believe that it would have at least some persuasive effect on the British Government unless, of course, the British Government holds the view that we are simply an advisory body. All I am really asking for is fair treatment in an honourable way to help the non-Chinese ethnic minorities out of possibly a terrible fate, namely, stateless after two generations. If they chose not to take up an unqualified offer to admit them to the United Kingdom, where they can qualify for British citizenship, then it would really be their choice.

Mr Deputy President, with those words, I commend my amendment to Members of this Council. Thank you.

Question on Mr Ronald ARCULLI's amendment proposed.