2787
34571
CONFIDENTIAL
GPS
250
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 11151JZ JUNE 81
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG (FOR GOVERNOR)
TELEGRAM NUMBER 542 OF 15 JUNE
YOUR TEL NO 549: NATIONALITY BILL
TOP CORY
14619
2
AKK 34011
RECENTED IN #EY B. 51 1 8 JUN 1981
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
مان
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
LA
P602017
1. IT IS TRUE THAT NEW CLAUSE 1 LEAVES BRITISH CITIZENSLLIVING
IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN A BETTER POSITION THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS
LIVING IN COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.
THIS IS RECOGNISED AS AN ANOMALY BUT IT IS ONE THAT HAS EXISTED
FOR MANY YEARS. YOU WILL SEE FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN
COMMITTEE AND FROM OTHER NEN CLAUSES AND AMENDMENTS THAT WERE
PROPOSED AT REPORT FROM NON-GOVERNMENT SOURCES THAT THE GOVERNMENT
HAS FACED STRONG DEMANDS ESPECIALLY FROM ITS OWN SUPPORTERS
FOR MUCH MORE FAR-REACHING CONTINUING PROVISIONS TO BENEFIT
BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THE GOVERNMENT'S
NEW CLAUSE 1 IS A MODEST CONCESSION TO THOSE VIEWS. IT REFLECTS THE DIFFICULTY OF DEALING WITH CLAIMS FOR CONTINUTION OF AN
EXISTING PRIVILEGED POSITION IN OUR OUT OF DATE LAW WHEN THE
BASIS FOR THE POSITION NO LONGER EXISTS. MINISTERS CAME UNDER
RENEWED PRESSURE IN THE 3RD READING FROM THE LOBBY FOR BRITISH
COMMUNITIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES (MAINLY EUROPE-BASED) AND
MR RAISON SAID THAT HE WOULD LOOK AT THE QUESTION AGAIN WHILE
MAKING SO FIRM COMMITMENT. WE HAVE SENT YOUR TELEGRAM TO THE
HOME OFFICE AND ARE DISCUSSING IT WITH THEM.
3. ON THE POINT IN YOUR PARA 4 A PERSON WHO WAS A CUKC WITH THE
RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK BEFORE COMMENCEMENT SOLELY BY VIRTUE
OF 5 YEARS ORDINARY RESIDENCE IN THE UK IS A BRITISH CITIZEN
OTHERWISE THAN BY DESCENT.
CARRINGTON
LIMITED
HKGD
NTD
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
COPIES TO :
MVD
MR E YOUDE
HKGO LDN
PS
MR DONALD
PS/LPS
MR ADAMS
CONFIDENTIAL
سے
לועדו
(294)