TNAG-2943-FCO40-4219-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 24

1993 11:41

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legislative provision were made. This was considered and firmly

rejected during the passage of the British Nationality (Hong

Kong) Act 1990 (as it has been whenever it has been raised

subsequently). Nothing has happened since which would seem to

indicate that a change of policy is called for.

5. The ethnic minorities have, however, been given a firm

assurance, repeated most recently by Mr Wardle and Lord Ferrers

in debates in both Houses that if, against all expectations,

members of that group come under pressure to leave Hong Kong and

had nowhere else to go, the Government of the day would be

expected to consider with considerable and particular sympathy

their case for admission to the UK. This is criticised for being

too hedged about with qualifications but it is impossible to give

It has unqualified guarantees covering hypothetical situations.

also been argued that the assurance is no longer enough because

of change of circumstances in Hong Kong. The only major change

since 1985, however, has been Tiananmen Square and that is now

four years ago. It would be odd to regard that as justification

now for new legislation for the ethnic minorities.

6. The Government were defeated in the House of Lords on this

issue in July. A motion from Lord Bonham-Carter supporting the

grant of British citizenship to those of the ethnic minorities

with only British Dependent Territory citizenship was carried

by 60 votes to 48. The Home Secretary's position on this is that

he has considered very carefully what was said in the debate and

recognises the strength of feeling on the issue; has concluded

no new considerations have been advanced which would lead him to

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