§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many children eligible to join parents in Hong Kong do they estimate will remain in China on 1st July 1997, and within what period after that date they will be able to enter Hong Kong.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe daily quota of one-way permits for mainland Chinese to come and settle in Hong Kong rose from 105 to 150 on 1 July 1995. This increase was proposed by the Hong Kong Government and agreed to by the Chinese authorities. Thirty extra places will be for mainland children of Hong Kong residents who will gain the right of abode in Hong Kong on 1 July 1997 ("eligible children"). The other 15 will be for persons separated from their spouses for over 10 years. The proportion of eligible children entering Hong Kong under the existing quota will be maintained.
In the first year, the extra quota for eligible children will go only to those aged 0–5 and 16–20. This will ensure that extra school-aged children will not come until Hong Kong's schools are ready for them.
With these changes we estimate that only 29,000 eligible children will remain in mainland China on 1 July 1997, and that all will be able to enter Hong Kong within a further 15 months.