TNAG-2714-FCO40-3920-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1993 — Page 212

THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

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limited category. Although Sir Geoffrey Howe told us that he did not believe that we should try and mobilize international support since he did not believe the necessary response would be forthcoming, we take a contrary view. There are a number of countries who have benefited from Hong Kong's financial and economic development. Australia, Canada, the USA, the European Community and some members of the Commonwealth, of which, of course, Hong Kong, is a member, would in our view be likely to make some offer of help on an international basis to fund an adaptable and energetic people if the "Armageddon scenario" ever presented itself. Although it is unlikely that such countries would want at this stage to commit themselves to specific numbers -although we are aware that several commitments have already been forthcoming-it is obvious from the number of likely countries and the availability of space for settlement, that a very large number of emigrants could be accommodated. If the British Government were to take a positive lead in organising international community support in principle for such a rescue operation, and if moreover, some overall indication of numbers could be agreed, a substantial degree of reassurance could be given to the people of Hong Kong. We accordingly recommend that the British Government immediately embarks upon such an exercise amongst the international groupings of which we are an active member, in order to secure the offer of a home of last resort to those people in Hong Kong who might want to leave.—(Mr Ivan Lawrence)."

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided.

Ayes, 1

Noes, 7

Mr Ivan Lawrence

Mr Dennis Canavan Mr Michael Jopling

Mr Ted Rowlands

Mr Peter Shore

Mr Peter Temple-Morris

Mr Bowen Wells Mr Michael Welsh

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

The Committee divided.

Ayes, 8

Noes, 1

Mr Dennis Canavan Mr Michael Jopling Mr Ivan Lawrence

Mr Bowen Wells

Mr Ted Rowlands

Mr Peter Shore

Mr Ian Taylor

Mr Peter Temple-Morris

Mr Michael Welsh

Paragraph 4.16 brought up, and read the second time, as follows:

4.16 A particular option which we would like to see the British Government explore within the European Community is the possibility of granting to the BDTC population of Hong Kong full British citizenship in the event of a fundamental breach or abrogation of the Joint Declaration by the PRC after 1997. As we explained above, British citizenship would entitle Hong Kong BDTCs to settle not only in the UK itself but also in any member state of the European Community. It would thus be to grant to the British Chinese population of Hong Kong, in the event of a serious breach of the Joint Declaration, a right which has already been extended to the Portuguese Chinese population of Macao.

Question put, That the paragraph stand part of the Report.

The Committee divided.

Ayes, 4

Mr Dennis Canavan

Mr Ted Rowlands

Mr Peter Shore Mr Michael Welsh

Paragraph-4.16A (now 4.16), read and agreed to.

Noes, 5

Mr Michael Jopling

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