CONFIDENTIAL
-3-
NATIONALITY BILL
9.
Sir S Y Chung raised need for assurance that Hong Kong people
are 'British' and problem of travel difficulties for Hong Kong passport
holders. Did not raise issue of Gibraltar amendment, over which Hong
Kong have behaved very responsibly so far and not exerted undue pressure.
10. LPS made clear to Home Office that FCO favour reversal of
amendment. No decision expected before October and it would be bad
tactics to exert any pressure on Home Office on behalf of Hong Kong
before then.
11.... If Gibraltar amendment stands, realise pressure for some
compensatory concession for Hong Kong will build up. We would then
need to consider fall-back positions, eg British(Hong Kong) Citizen
formula in passports, with or without brackets.
satisfy Unofficials.
12.
Hope this would
Formalities going ahead to allow Sir Lawrence Kadoorie to
take his seat for Report Stage in October.
13.
We are planning to make renewed representations on travel
difficulties with third countries, eg Austria, Germany and Spain.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES (Defensive)
14.
Situation remains as when you saw Secretary of State and me
in July. It would still be tactically wrong to raise issue with
Home Secretary or Prime Minister at present. Meanwhile, the best
tactics from Hong Kong's point of view are to use up the existing
quota very slowly.
MR RIDLEY'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 15-18 NOVEMBER
15.
Draft programme fine. Leave to you, but suggest possible
combination of financial/economic calls on Tuesday afternoon into
general meeting with officials.
/The MacLennan
CONFIDENTIAL