CONFIDENTIAL
Reference..
HKK 18/10
Mr Grove (Nationality & Treaty Dept CL 527)
G
1.
6
16
18
HONG KONG: UK NATIONALS
Please refer to Mr Kerr's minute of 16 December to you about UK nationals, arising from his recent discussions with the Singapore Government.
2.
From the point of view of HKIOD, I would stress the sensitivity of any public discussion of the citizenship status of British nationals in Hong Kong. Many of the past papers on the subject are classified "Secret"; see, for example, Mr Dixon's "Secret" minute of 22 April 1974, commenting on one by Mr Spendlove. This gives some idea of the difficulties. The most that has been said publicly on the subject can be found in Hansard of 8 November 1974 (copy enclosed for ease of reference).
3.
I would be grateful, therefore, if this department could be consulted should any question arise of giving other governments details of the citizenship status of British nationals in Hong Kong.
20 December 1974
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D K Timms
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept K 247 MA 171
Mr Kerr (FRD G 62/G)
Mr Aust (Legal Advisers K 157A) Mr Spendlove (SEAD W 83)
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