SECRET
(iii)
(iv)
whether he still does now that the emphasis
is on preserving existing rights). ExCo's advice is that this should be put forward
but that it should not be a sticking point.
To some extent the amendment may be said to be mildly inconsistent with the vehement opposition to naturalisation which has been put up in the context of preserving the existing position with regard to the
right of abode in the UK on grounds of
residence (item (b) above). Paragraph 16 of the Aide Memoire attempts to rationalise this but the argument is admittedly not
very strong.
How strongly YE should push on this
amendment would necessarily depend on the
outcome of discussions on the other amend-
ments put forward.
Summary
3.
ExCo's advice is that the minimum package which would be acceptable to Hong Kong must include the following amendments,
by order of importance:
(a)(i)
(b)
(ii)
an entitlement to be registered as a
British citizen after five years' residence
in the UK without other requirements having
to be met (item (b)(i) in paragraph 2
above); or
as a fall-back, an entitlement to be registered as a British citizen after three years' residence in the UK, subject to other requirements being met (item (b)(iv) in paragraph 2 above);
provisions for naturalisation on grounds of Crown service (item (d) in paragraph 2
above); and