TNAG-2941-FCO40-4217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 35

76

71

HKD 34016

07 JU! 1993

RESTRICTED

ри

MST.

717

FROM: P F Ricketts

25 JUL

89

Mr

Hym

PS/Mr Gogalad

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 5 July 1993

MA

$17 Alifister

HONG KONG NATIONALITY: ASSURANCES FOR THE ETHNIC MINORITIES AND

FOR ETHNIC CHINESE

Problem

1. How to ensure that the Home Office takes account of

sensitivities in Hong Kong when restating immigration assurances made by this and previous governments (Mr Wardle is meeting interested MPs and Lords at 1800 on 6 July, and there is and

Adjournment Debate on the subject on 9 July; Mr Goodlad is

likely to be asked about this by the FAC on 14 July).

Recommendation

2. That Mr Goodlad should write to Mr Wardle to draw his

attention to the points we and the Governor would like to see

the Home Office make. I submit a draft.

A

Background

3.

The Minister will recall that the Home Secretary indicated

to Miss Lau when she called on him on 9 June, that people with

joint British and Chinese nationality would fall under the terms

of the Government's undertaking (to consider with sympathy any

claim they might make for admission to the UK if they come under

pressure to leave Hong Kong and have no where else to go). (Mrs Barnes Jones' minute of 17 June, covering Home Office record of the meeting). This position was in line with assurances made in the past, although Government spokesmen have generally spoken in the context of the needs of the ethnic minority community and

et.min.NAT.JRB

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