(83
CONFIDENTIAL
88B
COPY
ник
34
RECEIVED IN RETRY NO. 5}
25 FEB 1981
See (880)
BESK
INDEX
GPS 300
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 200945Z FEB 81
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 174 OF 20 FEBRUARY
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
FOR YOUDE FROM GOVERNOR.
MYTELNO 1601 NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION.
PRICER
PA
REGISTRY. Action Take
$30,0
Pay 3013
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE 17 FEBRUARY, SIR S Y CHUNG HAS ADDRESSED ME EXPRESSING HIS GRAVE CONCERN AND THAT OF ALL UNOFFICIALS ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ABOUT THE NATIONALITY BILL. AS A RESULT OF THIS LETTER WE SHALL NEED TO HAVE A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE BILL IN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE 24 FEBRUARY.
2. I AM AFRAID THAT DESPITE THE ASSURANCE WHICH UNOFFICIALS RECEIVED
ROM THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND THE HOME SECRETARY THERE IS MOUNTING UNEASE HERE ABOUT THE LONG TERM EFFECTS AND CONSEQUENCE OF THIS LEGISLATION.
IN 3. UNOFFICIALS ARE RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THE CBDT CATEGORY. ADDITION THEY HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME OF A SYSTEM OF ''NATURALISATION FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE ONCE THEY HAVE OBTAINED THE NECESSARY RESIDENCE QUALIFICATION TO HAVE A RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK. AS CUKC'S IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THEY ARE ABLE SIMPLY TO QUALIFY FOR THE ISSUE OF A BRITISH PASSPORT WITHOUT FURTHER ADO WHEREAS THE BILL PROVIDES A NEW HURDLE WHICH THEY RESENT.
4. THEY ALSO CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF AN AMENDMENT TO INDICATE QUITE CLEARLY IN THE LEGISALTION THAT CBDT'S APPLYING FOR NATURALISATION SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY OVER ALIENS. 5. WE ARE CONSIDERING THE MAIN POINTS WHICH SIR S Y CHUNG HAS MADE AND WILL BE TELEGRAPHING TO YOU AGAIN BY 0900Z ON THE 23 FEBRUARY TO GIVE YOU THE BACKGROUND, THEIR PARTICULAR CONCERNS AND OUR SUGGESTIONS FOR MEETING THEM BEFORE YOUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HOME OFFICE COMMENCE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO HAVE HAD THE VIEWS OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BEFORE YOUR MEETING, BUT PRESUMABLY YOU WOULD NOT WISH TO PROPOSE A POSTPONEMENT TO THE HOME OFFICE.
MACLEHOSE
LIMITED
COPIES TO:
HK & GD
NTD
FED
PS
PS/LPS
PS/MR BLAKER
PS/MR LUCE PS/PUS
SIR E YOUDE
MR ADAMS
MR DONALD
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE