*******************************************************

The Government welcomed the Court of Final Appeal ruling today (Friday) which upholds the legality of the interpretation of provisions of the Basic Law related to the right of abode by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress , a Government spokesman said.

"In terms of immigration control, the most significant aspect of the judgement is that it confirms the constitutional basis for regulating entry of eligible persons in the Mainland in accordance with the Certificate of Entitlement and One-way Permit Schemes," he noted.

Referring to the Government's decision to seek interpretation, the spokesman said the Court had confirmed that the Government had acted entirely constitutionally and legally.

"The course we have taken in resolving the right of abode issue has the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Council and the public," he added.

End/Friday, December 3, 1999

NNNN