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COVERING SECRET
Parliamentary pressure on Hong Kong
8. Mr Cortazzi suggested that more might be done to educate MPs.
A fair amount had already been achieved and the last sponsored visit
had been a success.
New British Nationality Law
9. The latest telegram to Governors on the alternative designations
for the third category of British nationality was discussed. The
Governor repeated his view that if possible the category "Citizen
of the UK and Colonies" should be kept. Mr Cortazzi said that he
thought it was very doubtful in practice whether Ministers could
agree to this. We would continue to watch Hong Kong's interests
carefully but it would probably be best to concentrate on getting the
most satisfactory new designation possible.
Hong Kong Judges
10.
Mr Cortazzi referred to a recent discussion with Mr T S Lo
in which the latter had asked us to look again at Hong Kong's
proposal for the appointment to the territory of British Silks to
undertake a judicial apprenticeship in Hong Kong. The Lord
Chancellor's Office had not been helpful when the proposals were
put up by Sir Denys Roberts in 1978. Would the Governor like us
to look at this again? The Governor said that it would probably
be helpful. There were in general too few Judges in Hong Kong and
a lack of expertise in certain specialised branches of law.
It was agreed that Mr Clift would write to the Governor.
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