SECRET
3
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(iii)
(iv)
forward conversion as Sir S.Y. Chung initially suggested) provided it is an
entitlement:
If the amendment is resisted strongly on for the grounds that there is provision naturalisation, YE should stress that we
have pointed this out to Unofficials but they are totally opposed to it, on the grounds that this would give quite the wrong impression about Hong Kong's constitutional position and in any case is only discretionary. (Indeed ExCo has advised that they would rather not have anything at all than to have naturalisation alone, even on improved terms e.g. the residence qualification being shortened from 5 to 3
years).
If the amendment continues to be resisted strongly, on the grounds that residence alone would not suffice and that other requirements (e.g. language and good character) must be met, YE should fall back to the alternative proposed amendment set out at Appendix 1 to this brief, but should make it a sticking point. This alternative amendment would retain the entitlement to be registered, but would necessitate the meeting of other requirements. As a trade-off, the alternative amendment
proposes to reduce the residence qualification from 5 to 3 years.
(c)
Wives
(Paras. 12-13 and Annex C of Aide Memoire)
(i)
The purpose of the amendment is to retain, for Hong Kong CUKC women married to British men, the existing entitlement of being