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mation only / Action on
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 29 MARCH TO 1 APRIL 1981
BRIEF NO 5:
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENIOR OFFICIALS:
NATIONALITY BILL
POINTS TO MAKE
HONG KONG'S CONCERNS
1. Action following Governor's visit to London.
Home Secretary.
Main points met.
HICK 340/ RECEIVED 144 SERAPY NO. 51
3 0 MAR 1981
2283 OFFICER
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
Cooperation of
23.0 Pas 2319
PROPOSED CHANGES FOR HONG KONG AND OTHER DEPENDENCIES
2.
Government proposing additional clause covering acquisition of
British Citizenship by registration.
This would include right of
registration after 5 years' residence in the UK and give Home Secretary
discretion to register someone as a British Citizen according to
special circumstances of each case if they had undertaken public
service under the Government of a Dependent Territory.
3.
Registration after 5 years' residence would be entitlement provided
residence qualifications met. Registration of public servants would
not be automatic and discretion would be exercised very sparingly.
Flood of applications for registration by public servants would not
help HMG or Hong Kong. Must be understood no promises made to any
category of persons. Measure applies to all-Dependent Territories.
Brings treatment of Dependent Territories Crown Servants generally into
line with other Crown Servants.
4. (If pressed)
Cannot anticipate how or to what extent Home Secretary
will exercise discretion.
NOMENCLATURE (Defensive)
5. Have come to end of line on this. No possibility of changes to
CBDT. Hope with practical concession Unofficials can also be persuaded
to accept position. Variations such as 'British National' not feasible.
CITIZENSHIP FOR WIVES (Defensive)
6.
Not possible to give automatic right of British Citizenship to CBDT
wives or husbands without undermining Government's position on citizen-
CONFIDENTIAL
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