TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 208

THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

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been over recent years a gradual decline in the number of Hong Kong students in the UK, as Sir David Ford told us. We believe that in the special circumstances of Hong Kong we should accept the arguments of OMELCO and the Chief Secretary. By studying in the UK Hong Kong students acquire “established links with the United Kingdom" which in the particular context of Britain relinquishing sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997, justifies us in allowing them to count such periods towards the residency requirement. We do not believe that this should apply to secondary-level students but only to students studying at tertiary-level institutions or above for recognised qualifications. Therefore, we believe that the immigration rules should be changed so that periods of study by Hong Kong British students studying for recognised qualifications at tertiary-level or above in the UK could count towards residency.”

An Amendment proposed, in line 9, to leave out from "us" to the end of the paragraph and insert the words:

"However, to treat Hong Kong students in this way would make them unique amongst overseas students studying in Britain. Such an arrangement would undoubtedly lead to demands for similar status for students with perhaps even closer ties and claim on UK citizenship. Therefore, such a concession could only be given if it were applied universally. We therefore do not recommend such an arrangement for Hong Kong students.”—(Mr Bowen Wells.)

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

Paragraph agreed to.

Paragraphs 4.25 to 4.30 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 4.31 (now 4.31 and 4.32) read, amended, divided and agreed to.

Paragraph 5.1 read, amended and agreed to.

Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 5.4 read as follows:

"Indeed during 1988 the Hong Kong authorities compulsorily and immediately returned illegal immigrants from mainland China at an average rate of 54 a day. In our view a screening policy cannot be sustained without the repatriation of those who are screened out. In the words of Mr Barnes, "If you are screening you must have resettlement and you must have repatriation." Around 90 per cent of those who have been screened have been screened out; all have appealed against the decision. There has been very little voluntary repatriation, and the successful experience of the first small batch does not seem to have encouraged others. We accept that the logical consequence of a screening programme is the repatriation of those who have been screened out. We believe that, in the absence of significant levels of voluntary repatriation, however regrettable it may be, there is no alternative to the mandatory repatriation of those who are screened out.”

Amendment made.

Amendment proposed, in line 8, to leave out the words “screened out" to the end of the paragraph and insert:

“But we note that these people are fleeing not from persecution but from extreme poverty and that over 50 per cent of them are under the age of 20 years. This calls for special ways of dealing with these young people and if as a last resort, they must return to Vietnam, the authorities dealing with them must act in a humane way and ensure that they are adequately provided for. Assistance should also be given to allow them to settle down in Vietnam."-(Mr Michael Welsh.) Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Ayes, 4

Mr Dennis Canavan

Mr Ted Rowlands

Mr Peter Shore Mr Michael Welsh

Noes, 5

Mr Michael Jopling Mr Ivan Lawrence Mr Ian Taylor Mr Peter Temple-Morris Mr Bowen Wells

Another Amendment proposed, in line 10, at end, to add the words:

“We note that these people are fleeing not from persecution but from extreme poverty and that over 50 per cent of them are under the age of 20 years. This calls for special ways of dealing with these young people and if as a last resort, they must return to Vietnam, the authorities dealing with them must act in a humane way and ensure that they are adequately provided for. Assistance should also be given to allow them to settle down in Vietnam."-(Mr Dennis Canavan.)