TNAG-2941-FCO40-4217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 67

MR WADDINGTON ON 19.04.90:

Second Reading of British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill

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The hon Gentleman will remember that steps were taken some time ago to ensure that no one would be left stateless after 1997, and at the same time an undertaking was given to the non-ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong that if by any chance an individual were to come under severe pressure after 1997 we would consider sympathetically his application to come here.

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MR ALISTAIR DARLING ON 13.06.90:

Second Reading of British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill

EXTRACT FROM HANSARD

In Committee we raised the plight of people who will have no effective nationality after 1997. They are mainly of Indian descent. I know that the Confederation of Indian Organisations has been in touch with the Minister, and that in response to that meeting he wrote to the confederation as follows:

"British nationals have the specific parliamentary assurance given on a number of occasions that if, against all expectation, any solely British national with no claim to Chinese nationality came under severe pressure to leave Hong Kong, the Government of the day would be expected to consider with considerable and particular sympathy their case for admission to the United Kingdon. We stand by that assurance.

H

For the avoidance of doubt, I gave an assurance on behalf of the Labour party in Committee that in the event of our being the Government at the time we would give these people the same consideration, unless their position had been dealt with elsewhere.

PETER LLOYD ON 13.06.90:

Second Reading of British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill

EXTRACT FROM HANSARD

Those belonging to the ethnic minorities who are not included and who are legitimately in Hong Kong not only have the opportunity of becoming British overseas citizens as I described earlier, with their situation guaranteed under the Joint Declaration, but my right hon and learned Friend the Home Secretary has made it clear - and I am happy to repeat now that if pressure is put upon them despite the Joint Declaration and their rights under it, and if it became difficult for them to lead their lives in Hong Kong, we would look most carefully at any claim to right of settlement here, outside the rules.

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THE HON FRANCIS MAUDE MP, THE MINISTER OF STATE ON 13.07.90: (Letter to E P Ho Esq)

We have on many occasions given an assurance that if any solely

assure.NAT

SLM

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