Mr H M Paterson
N&TD
R
SECRET
HKK 340/1
340/1
RATAVED IN REGqarat no. 51
·
3 AUG 1978
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
REC STRY
Action Ten
CLE
14
GREEN PAPER ON BRITISH NATIONALITY LAW
1. I attach the official reaction of the Hong Kong Government to last year's Green Paper on possible changes in British Nationality Law.
2. The main theme of the paper's argument is not that the proposals will have any practical effect but rather that they will be seen in Hong Kong as having an effect. As the expiry in 1997 of our lease in respect of the New Territories (90% of Hong Kong's land area) draws nearer, there will inevitably be mounting concern in the Colony as to what the future holds. Should the new Nationality proposals come into effect there would be the danger of the move being perceived as the first step in the UK distancing itself from Hong Kong.
3. Clearly we are already having to give thought on what measures will have to be taken in respect of Hong Kong's future. This, however, will undoubtedly take some time and we are very concerned to prevent any extraneous monsideration from sparking off a loss of business or public confidence in the interim.
4.
In these circumstances therefore I should be gråteful if due weight could be given to the Hong Kong Government's arguments. I must confess that I can only come up with one formula which takes account of Hong Kong's views without wrecking the Green Paper's proposals completely. I accept, however, that it may be considered to be an added complication. Would it be possible to differentiate between UK citizens who derive their status from territories which are still Colonies and those deriving it from former Colonies?
2 August 1978
J Thompson
Hong Kong & General Dept K270 233-4069
SECRET