TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 206

THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

XXXV

The Committee divided.

An Amendment made.

Ayes, 3

Mr Dennis Canavan Mr Bowen Wells Mr Michael Welsh

Noes, 6

Mr Michael Jopling Mr Ivan Lawrence

Mr Ted Rowlands Mr Peter Shore Mr Ian Taylor Mr Temple-Morris

Another Amendment proposed, in line 15, to insert, after “Beijing”, the words “even if he or she principally represents the people of Hong Kong”.—(Mr Ian Taylor).

Question proposed. That the Amendment be made-Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Another Amendment proposed, in line 12, to leave out from "executive" to "we" in line 18, and insert the words:

“All candidates would have to be approved by Beijing as acceptable should they be elected. Each candidate would have to demonstrate that his nomination was backed by substantial support. A direct election on the first past the post principle should then take place. OMELCO believe that election should be by way of an electoral college itself democratically elected. As the USA has demonstrated such a manner produces many anomalies and is not appropriate particularly in so small a territory as Hong Kong."-(Mr Bowen Wells.)

Question, that the Amendment be made, put and negatived.

Question put. that the paragraph, as amended, stand part of the Report.

Noes, 3

The Committee divided.

Ayes, 5

Mr Ivan Lawrence Mr Ted Rowlands

Mr Dennis Canavan Mr Bowen Wells

Mr Peter Shore

Mr Michael Welsh

Mr Ian Taylor

Mr Peter Temple-Morris

Paragraphs 3.18 to 3.21 (now 3.19 to 3.22) read and agreed to.

Paragraphs 4.1 to 4.7 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 4.8 read as follows:

“British citizenship could only be extended to Hong Kong BDTCs by means of primary legislation. If granted it would allow Hong Kong BDTCs not only to enter Britain to live and work, but also, after 1992, any member state of the European Community. To grant full British citizenship, however, would contradict the British memorandum on nationality attached to the Joint Declaration. This memorandum is not part of the Joint Declaration and to go against it would not constitute a breach of the Treaty, but, as Sir David Wilson told us on 12 June, it is 'important that nothing should be done which could throw any doubt on those documents'. For that reason he advocated granting a right of entry to Britain. An additional objection to the granting of full British citizenship to all Hong Kong BDTCs is that by a strict interpretation of the nationality laws of the People's Republic, which does not recognise dual nationality, no British citizen (and therefore no Hong Kong BDTC if full British citizenship is granted) would be able to become the Chief Executive, Secretary or Deputy Secretary of a Government Department, Director of a Bureau, Commissioner against Corruption, Director of Audit or Commissioner of Police, since according to the second draft of the Basic Law all these posts must be filled by Chinese citizens.” An Amendment proposed, at end, to add:

"To grant British citizenship could undermine the loyalty and determination of the people of Hong Kong to continue to reside in and make Hong Kong the success it undoubtedly is both economically and socially."—(Mr Bowen Wells.)

Question, That the Amendment be made, put and negatived.

Paragraph agreed 10.

Paragraph 4.9 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 4.10 read as follows:

"There are at present 3.28 million BDTCs in Hong Kong out of a total population of 5.7 million. Any inhabitant of Hong Kong may, after five years' residence, apply for naturalisation and registration as a British Dependent Territories Citizen. It is estimated that about 2 million of the present population of Hong Kong are currently eligible to do so. Thus, the number of BDTCs in Hong Kong could substantially increase between now and 1997.”