TNAG-2941-FCO40-4217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 48

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Nevertheless we understand that some have taken up this

opportunity and have been successful. Clearly however,

there can be no guarantees for any applicant, whether

from the ethnic minorities or not.

(vi) Immigration Assurance - Repeated assurances have been

given by Ministers regarding this community to the effect that if any solely British National came under pressure to leave Hong Kong the British Government of the day would

consider with particular sympathy their case for admission to the United Kingdom.

(We understand that Sir Teddy Taylor intends to raise this

subject in an adjournment debate on 9 July. The Home Office will cover the ground then.)

The Government stand by this undertaking, but there can be no question of going further and granting the ethnic minorities

British citizenship. The Government's view is that the ethnic

minorities' ties are with Hong Kong rather than with the UK (and

they have themselves said that they want to make their lives in

Hong Kong). We see the various arrangements now in place as firm foundations which will ensure their security in Hong Kong in the years to come: in short they will enjoy British

nationality, guaranteed right of abode in Hong Kong, and as a safety net in the unlikely event of coming under pressure to leave Hong Kong, an assurance of a sympathetic response to a request to settle in the UK. Ensuring the future in Hong Kong of all British passport holders must be our priority, rather

than making special arrangements for one sector of the community to acquire British citizenship.