DEVAD
Mr Scott
REVIEW OF CITIZENSHIP
1.
I have not yet, I think, seen your letter to which Mr FitzGerald refers in his reply of 20 May. But I think it is a mistake to imply, as he does in his para. 7, that people in Hong Kong can be reassured without difficulty about public discussion of the nature of British citizenship. Even their present rights are less than they, no doubt, subconsciously think they are. Το discuss these rights and to make it plain that they are likely, if anything, to be further restricted, could affect the confidence on which our administration of Hong Kong is built. The Governor has recommended that, from his point of view, we should avoid discussion. I am sure that, in the context of Hong Kong, he is right.
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
21 May 1974
CC
Sir D Watson
Mr Youde (with copy of letter under reference) Mr Dixon, N&TD
SECRET