Reference
Mr Gray
Mr
Separate copies
HKK 340
Mr Paterson
No
RJMR
їзно
126
REASONS FOR A NEW NATIONALITY ACT
24/10.
20
1. The telegram sent to us today from Peking about nomenclature returns to the point about a public explanation of the reasons why a new nationality act, or at least a change, of names is necessary. It will be an important point for dependencies when the Bill is presented and during the Parliamentary process. It was also a point raised by AGIN when they saw Mr Raison and Mr Luce recently (and the point was not well answered by Ministers). It seems to me worthwhile looking again at the Paper produced by the Home Office for Mr Murray's visit to Hong Kong to see whether a better presentation can be made.
2. For example, if we could properly maintain that a new nationality act now or very soon is necessary because of the fragmentation of present legislation, the need to make some changes, e.g. to allow mothers to transmit their citizenship, etc. The need to take this opportunity to incorporate the concept of right of abode from the Immigration Act into the Nationality Act is obvious. (The 1971 Immigration Act which introduced the concept of patriality was really a substitute nationality act, and its consequences inevitably have to be transferred to the nationality act at some point.) The effect of the new nationality act on British citizens and citizens of dependent territories will be nil; but the long-term effect will be to eliminate entirely the British citizens who are non-belongers, so producing a much more rational nationality position.
22 October 1979
cc Mr McLaren, HKGD
CODE 18-77
CONFIDENTIAL
W Jones
Nationality and Treaty Department
Page 90Page 91
Mr Jones
Nationality & Treaty Dept