I was encouraged and hopeful on reading Tony Lawson's letter (South China Morning Post, August 10), in which he felt it was 'mean-minded' not to want to give permanent residency to foreign domestic helpers who have been long-time residents. Does this mean that he and other kind-hearted British liberals will now be earnestly lobbying for UK abode for the long-time denizens of this British realm, including the Hong Kong Chinese, the minority groups like the Indians and, of course, the foreign domestic helpers? This would give the British the chance to demonstrate the principle of reciprocity of hospitality since they too have a long tradition of leaving the motherland to settle/seek their fortunes in far-away foreign lands. The language and entrepreneurial skills brought by settlers from Hong Kong would also doubtless greatly benefit the UK. To make generous with the resources of 'green and pleasant' mother UK would certainly be more appropriate than to do so with those of tiny, overcrowded Hong Kong. I can also surmise that most foreign domestic helpers would also much prefer to go to bountiful Albion. Surely you can't let these particularly needy and deserving migrants down? W.S. WONG Kowloon
