HC Deb 20 July 1989 vol 157 c336W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a summary of the discussions he has had with European Ministers, and in particular his Portuguese counterpart, about the future of Macao; and whether he now intends to give similar European citizenship rights to Hong Kong people.

Mr. Eggar

We are in touch from time to time with the Portuguese Government on matters relating to Hong Kong and Macao. Such discussions are confidential and we are not at liberty to publish details. We have had no substantive discussions with other European Governments about the future of Macao.

In order to enjoy the right of free movement and settlement within the EC, Hong Kong people would require full British citizenship. The Government have no plans to grant this to all Hong Kong people.