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different types of citizenship, bringing them into
line with rights of entry and abode under the
Immigration Acts. In these circumstances, to apply
citizenship of the UK to persons resident in the
Dependent Territories would be inconsistent (the
use of the shortened formula 'Citizen of the United
Kingdom Colonies' would not be acceptable because it
could be confused with the earlier formula).
3. The Lord Privy Seal, at the Secretary of
met
State's request, attended a special meeting with
the Home Secretary on 9 June to discuss the
problem. Mr Whitelaw confirmed the Home Office's
agreement to the use of 3 categories of citizenship
rather than 2, thus making clear the spectal status
of the Dependent Territories as opposed to British
Overseas Citizens. The Lord Privy Seal then argued
Hong Kong's case strongly. He pointed out the depth
of concern in Hong Kong and the inter-relation of
this issue with others in Anglo/Hong Kong relations
He suggested that, in order to emphasise the
continuing link with Britain, the prefix 'British
Subject' should be retained in the title for
citizens of the Dependent Territories.
4. The Home Office were not prepared to agree to
the retention of 'British Subject'. Their legal
advice was that this would blur the distinction
between the categories and could cause legal
problems for the Government. It was agreed
however to adopt the Lord Privy Seal's further
suggestion that the relevant sections of the
White Paper should, be worded so as to make clear
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