TNAG-2922-FCO40-4197-Visits-and-proposed-visits-by-Alastair-Goodlad--Minister-of--1993 — Page 32

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Without legally enforceable programme, cannot guarantee that Hong Kong Government would be able to process all applications and issue passports in time.

Would be irresponsible not to provide such a guarantee when it is within HMG's power to do so.

There is provision in the legislation for consideration of late applications. The detail of arrangements has yet to be decided.

Nevertheless, know that some LegCo members have expressed concern about these arrangements.

Understand that a delegation from LegCo's Nationality Sub-Committee will visit London in the week of 7 June to raise this and other nationality issues with Ministers. We look forward to hearing their views and will carefully consider with the Home Office what might be done to alleviate their concerns.

- We will not be tabling the Order in Council before that visit.

Ethnic Minorities

- The Home Office are considering this issue in the light of further representations received from the LegCo Nationality

Sub-Committee.

- Understand that this will also be discussed when LegCo members

visit the Home Office.

bno.row.NAT

SLM