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prepared to make and they were not prepared to
concede the use of the prefix 'British Subject'
for citizens from Dependent Territories. The whole
purpose of the new legislation was to distance certain
categories of people from the United Kingdom. To
include the extra prefix would be inconsistent with
this and he thought it wholly reasonable to leave it
out.
3. The Lord Privy Seal said that he understood the
objections but he had very considerable doubts about
wisiem
the political practicality of omitting 'British
Subject'. The Hong Kong lobby was strong in Parliament.
Trourry
Feeling in the territory was very strong.
A new
Defence Costs Agreement was shortly to be negotiated,
at considerable cost to Hong Kong.
Uneasiness in
New Ternlories
Hong Kong was heightened as the end of the Lease in
Mis
1997 approached; which increased doubts about Britain's
commitment to the territory. In view of this, he
fared
thought that if 'British Subject' were omitted in the
White Paper, it might be found politically necessary
to put it back later. The Home Secretary, supported
by Mr Luce and Mr Woodfield, reiterated their strong
objection to the proposal, emphasising that they had
legal advice that to include 'British Subject' could
be regarded as blurring the distinction between the
categories and might possibly lead to legal action
against the Government.
4.
The Lord Privy Seal suggested that if the Home
Secretary could not agree to include the phrase in
the White Paper, the relevant sections of the
document might be made 'greener' in order to emphasise
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