The one-way permit and the importation of Mainland talent schemes are different policies that should be kept separate, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

He told the Legislative Council today that the former policy aims to facilitate family reunion, and using it to attract talent or investors could have an adverse impact on the clarity of its purpose and complicate its implementation.

"Utilisation of one-way permit quota may also fluctuate from year to year. Even if there is unused quota in a particular year, this may not necessarily tie in with Hong Kong's demand for talent at the time which is market-driven," he said.

The Government will consult with Mainland authorities on questions relating to the one-way permit quota and its allocation among different categories regularly, and will also seek views from the public and the council on proposals forwarded by the Task Force on Population Policy in its 2005-06 report.

Objective and transparent

Mr Lee said under existing arrangements, the authority to approve permit applications is vested with Mainland authorities, and an objective and transparent points system has been used to assess applications.

Of the daily quota of 150 places, 60 are allocated to children holding Certificate of Entitlement who enjoy right of abode in Hong Kong, 30 to spouses separated for 10 years or more and their accompanying children, and 60 to applicants belonging to other categories.

Recently nearly 90% of permits were issued to Hong Kong permanent residents' Mainland children with right of abode, Hong Kong residents' Mainland spouses and their accompanying children.

Last year 38,072 permit holders arrived in Hong Kong, a daily average of 104. Of them, 10,314 were Certificate of Entitlement children (a daily average of 28), 3,682 were spouses separated for 10 years or more and their accompanying children (a daily average of 10), and 24,076 were under other categories (a daily average of 66), including 19,209 spouses separated for less than 10 years and their accompanying children (a daily average of 53).

No change

As the number of permit holders entering last year was lower than the previous one, Mr Lee said this largely reflects the under-utilisation of the daily quota of 60 places for Certificate of Entitlement children. The figures indicate the daily arrival of these children last year stood at 28, short of the designated quota by 32 places.

"Whilst we have suggested to Mainland authorities to explore the possibility of allowing more Mainland adult children with genuine needs to lawfully apply to settle in Hong Kong to take care of their parents, we have no plan at this stage to request Mainland authorities to change the mechanism and the related eligibility criteria," Mr Lee said.

The administration has made enquiries with Mainland authorities on numerous occasions since 2002, but has not yet received a concrete response, he said.

Mainland adult children not eligible for settlement in Hong Kong may come here to visit their families, which has been made much easier with closer integration and the development of convenient transportation links.

Talent admission

For separated spouses, Mr Lee said according to the eligibility criteria recently announced by Mainland public security authorities, the waiting time has been further shortened to six years for those in Guangdong, and to five years for those in other provinces.

Under existing policy, Mainland residents can apply to enter Hong Kong for employment under the admission scheme for Mainland talents and professionals introduced in July 2003. Up to the end of last month, the Immigration Department has approved 5,705 applications.

Although the scheme has been operating well, in line with the policy direction set out in the 2005 Policy Address, Mr Lee said the existing policy will be reviewed to ensure Hong Kong can continue to enjoy an adequate supply of Mainland professionals for economic growth and the development of local enterprises.