7447 D073840 101M 8/74 Cr.P.C. 839/3
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
?
CONFIDENTIAL
3. Unless the publication of HMG's proposals is adequately prepared in advance with Commonwealth Governments, Colonial Governments, and the foreign governments immediately concerned, there could be acute embarrassment to our relations with these governments, particularly in the case of Hong Kong and China, Gibraltar and Spain, The Falkland Islands and Argentina, Commonwealth Governments in East and Central Africa, and India. In order to forestall increased pressure from United Kingdom nationals, or indeed from Commonwealth citizens, on the immigration controls in this country, it will be essential to reassure United Kingdom nationals and Commonwealth Governments that no United Kingdom national or Commonwealth citizen, now alive will be any worse off as regards entry into the United Kingdom as a result of the proposed legislation on nationality. In particular, assurances will have to be given both be given both to governments and publicly that the obligations we have assumed in relation to East African Asians will not be affected and that special
vouchers will continue to remain available to all
those eligible for them. Such assurances should go some way to allay the immediate fears of potential immigrants that the proposals on nationality law pressage changes to their deteriment in immigration
law.
4. At Annex 1 is a note on the effects of the
publication of the proposals in some overseas countries. The extent of the likely impact overseas
is indicated in the table at Annex 2, which is a
revised version of the table attached to the draft
consultative document circulated by the Home
Secretary.
THE FORM OF CONSULTATION
5. It has been the intention of the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office for over a year to send advance copies of any consultative document, should HMG decide to publish one, to Governments/Commissioners, High Commissioners and certain Ambassadors and they have been assured that this would be done. The Group
marle on Nationality Law were fully aware of this requirment
the
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