Campaign for the Right of Abode for Former British-Hong Kong Servicemen PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT GROUP Monday 21* January 2019 The Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid M.P. Secretary of State for the Home Department Home Office 2 Marsham Street LONDON SWIP 4DF Wee S54, May | express my sincere thanks to you for taking such a close personal interest in the Concerns of former British-Hong Kong Servicemen. Everyone was sorry that you were unable to meet with them when they visited Parliament last November, but look forward to meeting you soon in the hope of finally making progress in solving this long running issue ‘As mentioned when we spoke personally, many of the ex-servicemen have travelled annually, for the past six years, at their own expense to meet with Government Ministers, and Parliamentarians to politely request the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom. Prior to handover to China in 1997, our government gave 159 British-Hong Kong Servicemen a new full UK passport for Crown Service. These servicemen who were ‘Left behind’ are seeking equal treatment and | believe they have a just cause. Much correspondence has been exchanged between colleagues from both the House of Commons and House of Lords, Ministers and members of the campaign, which | have the honour of leading in Parliament, but sadly no material progress has been made thus far. Hitherto, all Ministers we have met have not taken the steps to correct this historic wrong; basing their refusal on the Chinese citizenship of the former British Hong Kong servicemen and their families, a citizenship they did not choose to adopt, or arguing that the former servicemen were merely “locally recruited staff”, who “..would not have had an expectation of automatic right to a British passport” (enc. Letter from The Rt. Hon. Lord Bates), despite having made this life-long Oath of Allegiance, having received the Regular Army Certificates of Service, and committing themselves to the objectives of the Military Covenant. All soldiers and sailors who commit themselves to the necessity of making the ultimate Sacrifice for Queen and Country must surely be treated equally by virtue of the Military Covenant? ‘Campaton for the Right of Abode fot Foret Bildh-Hong Kong Serviesmen PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT GROUP. Room 927] Perieulls House | Houses of Petisment | London | SWiA OAR, ‘mall andrew.resindell mp@parlioment.ck | Telephone: 020.7219 8499Campaign for the Right of Abode for Former British-Hong Kong Servicemen PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT GROUP 'n addition to their goodwill and regular annual delegation to the Houses of Parliament, they have secured the support of over 150 MPs in their EDM 88/722/92/537 between sessions 2013-18, which is also enclosed for your information. Such is the growing sense of feeling about that, | am joined in writing this letter by a number Of senior Parliamentarians who, like me, believe the failure to honour our moral duty to these men and their familie is a historic wrong of over twenty years which must be righted. The service of these men as Regular Soldiers and Sailors must be respected and the mutual objectives of the Military Covenant must be fulfilled. This is a matter of growing urgency given the recent, evident breaches of the “One Country, Two Systems” commitments made by Deng Xiaoping before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. We urge the British Government to act with honour and recognise that these men put themselves in harm’s way for us, and as a result of which they face an increasing risk of being targeted and penalised by the PRC authorities. They have told me this, We are duty bound not to leave them to face this real risk of danger. | look forward to the meeting on Thursday 31st January 2019 and hope to count on your support in this most urgent matter. look forward to hearing from you. Wiens Meshe Andrew Rosindell M.P. The Rt. Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle M.P. Chairman, Hong Kong Former Servicemen. Deputy Speaker Parliamentary Support Grou House of Commons Carpal for the Right of Abed for Former British-Hong Kong Servicemen PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT GROUP 7 | Portus Hours | Houses of Perlament | London | SWIA OAA, e-molk cnerew.rosindelmp@perliamentiuk | Telephone: 020 7219 8499Campaign for the Right of Abode for Former British-Hong Kong Servicemen PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT GROUP ‘The Rt. Hon. Dr. Julian Lewis M.P. Chairman of the Defence Select Committee Nigel Dodds .P. Leader of DUP in Parliament ‘Tom Tugendhat MBE M.P. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Lord shinkwin ‘Stewart McDonald MP. SNP Spokesman for Defence Lord Willougby de Broke Admiral The Rt. Hon. The Lord West of Spithead G.S.B. D.S.c. Lord Wei Lord Luce Lord Judd Mary Glindon M.P, Richard Graham M.P. Baroness Williams of Trafford Mai Vickers M.P. Lord Pendry Lord Rowe-Beddoe Jeremy Lefroy M.P. Nigel Evans M.P. Lord Hamilton of Epsom Lord Stoddart of Swindon Lord Selkirk of Douglas Lord Davies of stamford Lord Kilclooney Campaign for he Right of Aboud For Forme Bits Paul Sweeney M.P, The Rt. Hon. Lord Alton of Liverpool KS.C.G.K.CM.O, The Rt. Hon. Lord Maginnis of Drumglass Col. Bob Stewart 0.5.0. M.P. Carol Monaghan M.P. Lord Truscott Stuart McDonald M.P. The Rt. Hon Keith Vaz M.P. Lord Geddes Andrea Jenkyns M.P. Lord Norman Tebbit C.H., P.C. Ruth Smeeth M.P. Jim Shannon M.P. Lord Craig of Radley GCB OBE Christine Jardine M.P, Ben Lake MP, George Howarth M.P. Bob Blackman M.P. Sammy Wilson M.P. Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne Lord Marlesford Lord Stevens of Ludgate Baroness Uddin David Drew M.P. Baroness Falkner of Margravine Catherine West M.P. fong Kong Servicemien PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT GROUP Reom 327| Porleulls Heute | Huse of Patament | London | SW1A OAA, ‘inal andrew.rosindell mp@perliamentuk | Telephone: 020.7219 8499