).
SECRET
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
registered as British citizens immediately,
and whether or not still married. (The
Bill requires naturalisation after 3 years'
UK residence).
The amendment covers husbands as well as
wives solely because of HMG's concern about
sexual equality. ExCo's object is to preserve the existing right of Hong Kong CUKC wives of British citizens.
Unofficials are insistent on this amendment
although they have given it lower priority
than amendments on the right of abode in the
UK (item (b) above) and on naturalisation
for Crown servants (item (d) below). It is
nevertheless a sticking point.
If quizzed on how one avoids marriages of
convenience, YE should not answer directly
but should argue that what we are seeking is purely a preservation of an existing right and that the amendment applies only
to CBDTs who have not caused problems to
HMG by being involved in marriages of
convenience.
(d) Crown Service
(Paras. 14-15 and Annex D of Aide Memoire)
(i)
(ii)
YE is already thoroughly familiar with the
arguments.
The proposed amendment consists of three
elements:
(1) an amendment to paragraph 1(1)(d)(ii)
of Schedule 1 to enable Crown servants
who have been naturalised to remain
in their posts in Hong Kong;
(2)
an amendment to paragraph 1(3) of
Schedule 1 to have Hong Kong Government