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2010
SIR ANTHONY ROYLE K.C.M.G., M. P.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON S.W.1
26th February, 1981
I was Willie.
Following our talk in your room in the House last Tuesday, 17th February, I am writing to thank you for the confirmation that you gave to me that you intend to make amendments to the Nationality Bill in order to meet the fears of the Governor regarding the officials and unofficials in Hong Kong who would qualify by reason of being particularly at risk following a crisis situation involving the Chinese Government and Hong Kong. As I mentioned to you in our conversation, I gather that the best estimate is that 10,000 officials and unofficials in Hong Kong would qualify. The inclusion of their immediate families would put the figure at say 40,000 people in total if all applied.
I am informed that the Hong Kong Government would not expect an immediate flood of applications for naturalisation from Hong Kong Crown Servants. They are only concerned with the possibility of their being naturalised if it is not ruled out completely as it is in the present Bill and when very good reasons arise for them to seek it.
You asked me to put forward proposals for amendments to cover this particular narrow group of people. Your officials may well have received similar amendments via the official net but I am advised that the following suggestions would meet the point.
(a)
Deletion of the words in paragraph 1(1) (D)
(b)
(c)
'under the Government of the United Kingdom' (II) of Schedule 1.
Deletion of the words 'under the Government of the United Kingdom' in paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 1.
Addition of a new sub-paragraph (F) at the end of paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 as follows:
'(F) treat the applicant as fulfilling the requirements of paragraph 1(1) (D) (II) and (3) as regards Crown Service if he is performing or has performed any duties or functions for the Government of the United Kingdom or of any dependent territory.
The purpose of (A) is to enable Hong Kong Crown Servants who have become naturalised to remain in their posts in Hong Kong which the Government regards as necessary. However as you know the FCO has reservations about this on the grounds that those in Crown Service might resign shortly after being naturalised.
cont.