255
1264
Mr Donald
HONG KONG:
Enter
ни
Mur Dance
HIDRAT/ 34011
RECEIVED IN
CONDI DENTAL
26 MAY 1981
DESK OFACER
INDEX
REGISTRY
Action Taken,
I have sent 2
265
Voleprams to Sir M Machehore. A $2/5
cc: Mr Adams
Mr Jones NTD
↑ pas all cared with bott Mr. Blaker and
NATIONALITY BILL
Mr. Luce.
1. As I mentioned, the Governor telephoned me this morning to find out
what reaction the Secretary of State had given to the Department's
submission recommending a compromise formula in response to the Home
Secretary's refusal to agree to an amendment to the Bill.
2. I explained to Sir M MacLehose, after taking him through, in some
detail, Mr Whitelaw's minute of 11 May, that the majority of Ministers
in the Office had advised against Lord Carrington returning to the
charge. However, the Secretary of State had asked Mr Blaker to put
the compromise proposal to Mr Raison. The latter had agreed only to
consider the possibility of a statement in the House, but was opposed
to the entry of UK or British National in Hong Kong passports.
However,
he was likely to have no objection to 'Holder has the right of abode
in Hong Kong' in addition to 'Citizen of the British Dependent Territor-
ies'.
3. The Governor expressed disappointment and was saddened that the Home
Office could not be more accommodating. As he had reported (Hong Kong
Telegram Number 511), he was having a difficult time with Unofficials
and two of the most senior were to call on him this evening to discuss
further steps. He was also having a meeting on nationality tomorrow.
What he now needed was briefing with which to defend the views of
Ministers in London.
4.
He asked specifically for the following:
a) what would Ministers be prepared to say in the House of Commons
by way of reassurance to Hong Kong;
b) what would be entered in the Hong Kong passports;
CONFIDENTIAL
/c)