TNAG-2941-FCO40-4217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 25

The Rt Hon Christopher Patten

香港總督府

J Richard

4000

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Miss Brijss

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE

HONG KONG

Copied to Mr Wendie's

Hong Kong Nationality :

Assurances to the Ethnic Minorities and

to the Ethnic Chinese

90

6 July 1993

I have just seen a copy of Alistair Goodlad's letter to Charles Wardle about assurances to ethnic Chinese BNO (O)/BOC passport holders. You will recall I raised this with you when I saw you last week.

I wholly endorse the points Alistair makes in his letter. The formula which Alistair suggests Ministers use, if asked whether the pledge to the ethnic minorities also applies to BN (0)/BOC passport holders, strikes me as ideal - and essential if we

are to avoid charges, both here and at Westminster, of resiling from previous pledges.

I understand there is due to be a debate on the ethnic minorities in the House on Friday morning. I do hope Ministers

It

will be able to deploy Alistair's formula in that debate. might also be a good time for you formally to restate the specific pledge to the ethnic minorities, perhaps in answer to a written question, for publication on Friday?

EF

HKD 340/6

07 JUI 1993

•

office

67.