A SOCIAL services group has called on the Government to urgently clarify issues surrounding the court ruling allowing mainland-born children of Hong Kong parents to live here. Ho Hei-wah, director of the immigrants' advocacy group the Society for Community Organisation, said his group had received a flood of queries since the ruling, and the Government needed to quickly clear up the confusion. The ruling opened the door to tens of thousands of new mainland immigrants because it extended the right of abode to those born before one of their parents became a permanent resident and those born out of wedlock, such as children of Hong Kong men and their mainland mistresses. There are about 320,000 mainland residents who are children of Hong Kong parents and can apply to come here. Under the ruling, children who came to Hong Kong illegally before July 10 will automatically become legal residents. Those who sneaked in after July 10 also qualify for permanent residency, but it was unclear whether they must first return to the mainland to apply for entry properly. Currently they are considered illegal immigrants and still could be sent back to the mainland if caught. It was also unclear whether the children must join the queue of other mainlanders applying to enter Hong Kong at a quota of 150 per day. Mr Ho said his office had about 100 phone calls yesterday from families with questions. 'The Government should not leave people confused,' he said. If the Government allowed those who came after July 10 to stay legally, it might encourage people living in the mainland to bypass queues. The ruling does not place any age limits on the mainland children. Many are expected to be adults with children of their own. DNA tests might be used to prove parent-child relations for children born out of wedlock, officials hinted yesterday. It was unclear where Hong Kong parents stood if they did not want their mainland-born children to come here. Some men are understood to be concerned that children born of mistresses might arrive. Immigration officials could give no answers yesterday. Local authorities have scheduled a meeting with Beijing officials next week to work out entry procedures. Mr Ho, who has fought hard for mainland children to be united quickly with their parents, said there was no need to worry about an influx of immigrants putting pressure on social services. 'Don't be too pessimistic because our birth rate is low,' Mr Ho said. 'If you add the mainland kids, population growth will still not be great. Plus we have such a large ageing population. 'In 10 years, 20 per cent of the population will be aged 60 or older, so it's a good long-term thing.'