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This was not a matter of preparation for Armageddon but intended to restore confidence now.
4.
Mr Luce mentioned the interest of Gibraltar in the institution of a separate citizenship for that territory. He wondered whether, if Gibraltar were met on that, Hong Kong would demand further concessions for themselves. Lord Carrington asked why the Home Office opposed separate citizenship. Mr Luce said that they regarded it as an untidy diversification of the third category. Sir M MacLehose said that Hong Kong did not want a separate citizenship but British (Hong Kong) Citizenship. He was under an obligation to his Executive Council to make this point to Mr Whitelaw. However, he realised that it was not obtainable. He intended therefore to propose to the Home Secretary that officials should meet to discuss amendments on the main practical points.
5. Lord Carrington agreed with this. He would send a minute to the Home Secretary before Sir Murray's meeting the next day. He would express his concern in strong terms and explain that the minimum that was needed was an amendment in the Bill to those practical points which were causing Hong Kong serious difficulty.
Distribution:
Private Secretary PS/Mr Blaker
PS/Mr Luce
PS/PUS
Sir E Youde
Mr Donald
Mr Adams
HKGD
NTD
Governor, Hong Kong
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