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In altering the law of nationality the British Government would make suitable transitional arrangements to preserve existing entitlements to entry.
6. The Green Paper points out that the British Nationalit Act, the basis for United Kingdom citizenship, was passed in 1948 and has been amended on numerous occasions. In some respects it has become complicated and obscure and its revision is long overdue. The British Government accordingly set up a group to examine how the nationality law could be simplified and brought up to date; the Green Paper, intended as a discussion document, is based largely on their work.
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The Government spokesman said that the changes in the nationality law proposed would not affect existing rights of immigration into the et United Kingdom. In particular, he stressed that the validity of travel documents issued by Hong Kong's Immigration Department would not be affected. The Department will continue to issue Hong Kong travel ** documents in their present form.
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8. The Director of Immigration confirmed that his department would be studying the details of the Green Paper to ascertain whether there would be any special groups of people in Hong Kong for whom, if the proposals in it were adopted, special arrangements would need to be
made.
9. A further announcement will be made shortly indicating the office to which, any enquiries or comments on the Paper should be addressed.
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Security Branch
22nd April, 1977
SCR 39/2091/72
305
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