HC Deb 24 July 1984 vol 64 c589W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to take to resolve difficulties created for citizens of Hong Kong who receive no right of abode in the United Kingdom under the Nationality Act 1981 and no rights under the Nationality Law dated 10 September 1980 of the People's Republic of China.

Mr. Luce

I have been asked to reply.

Questions of nationality are under discussion in the talks on the future of Hong Kong being held in Peking between the British and Chinese Governments. The content of these talks is confidential.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is likely to be the status of Chinese who crossed the border into Hong Kong as political refugees in recent years following the transfer of sovereignty to China.

Mr. Luce

I have been asked to reply.

Immigrants from the People's Republic of China are classified under the Hong Kong immigration legislation as "Chinese residents" once they have been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years. They then have the right to land in Hong Kong. We have no reason to believe that their status will change in the foreseeable future.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is likely to be the status of refugees from Vietnam who remain in Hong Kong following the transfer of power to China.

Mr. Luce

I have been asked to reply.

The Vietnamese refugees who are currently in camps in Hong Kong are permitted to remain there under the provisions of Hong Kong's Immigration Ordinance. We have no reason to believe that their status will change in the foreseeable future. It is, however, our intention to find permanent places of settlement for all of them as soon as possible, in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.