TNAG-2942-FCO40-4218-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 41

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CALL ON MR GOODLAD BY MR MARTIN LEE AND DR YEUNG SUM, 27 JULY

Background

Nationality matters:

Ethnic Minorities;

Wives and widows

1. Mr Goodlad wrote to Mr Wardle on 21 July, following debate in the House of Lords and representations from the Foreign Affairs Committee, asking the Home Office to consider again the case for British citizenship for the ethnic minorities. This was the Minister's second approach this year (Mr Goodlad last wrote on the same subject on 19 April Mr Wardle replied in the negative on 12 May).

2.

The Home Secretary is considering how to respond. The Home Office tell us his decision will be reflected in the answer to a written PQ (from Graham Allen MP) tabled for reply on 27 July. No indications at desk level that a change of policy is expected.

3. Emily Lau wrote on 15 July to the Home Secretary. She contrasted statements by Mr Wardle and Earl Ferrars in Parliament that the immigration assurance first extended by Baroness Young in 1985 was applicable only to members of the ethnic minorities with what the Home Secretary said to a LegCo delegation in June (Mr Howard indicated that people with Joint British and Chinese nationality would fall under the terms of the Government's undertaking) and asked for a definitive reply. We expect the Home Office to stick to their line.

4. On wives and widows, our indications are that the Home Office will take a further look at Mr Goodlad's suggestion of offering flexibility on the period needed to establish residence in the UK.