PS/LPS
2.
attached
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LAST PAPER
Lord Pay Seal
HK12 340/1
13 OCT 981
DESK OFFER
MIDEX
396
of
1460-
BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT : HONG KONG
1.
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When the LPS sees Sir Paul Bryan I understand that they will discuss the amendment put in by Lord Geddes. This is attached.
See/398
397
I suggest that Mr Atkins take the following line:
a) While the Government understand Hong Kong's concern
underline their 'Britishness' a clause on the lines pro- posed is not acceptable because the concept of 'British National' could be confusing about the citizenship and immigration status of those concerned. In particular, it could give the impression that British Overseas Citizens had some kind of connection with the United Kingdom which might entitle them to right of entry.
b) As appropriate Ministers will of course take the opportunity
in debate to underline that HMG are not distancing themselves from Hong Kong and that our commitment remains.
We hope
c) HMG's primary aim is to reverse the Gibraltar amendment
and we do not want to be sidetracked from this. that supporters of Hong Kong will recognise that politically this is the best and most realistic solution.
d) (If Sir P Bryan presses on a possible fall-back for
Hong Kong) This would be very difficult and it would be wrong to raise hopes too much. We need in any case to have a clearer assessment of the prospects on the Gibraltar amendment.
9 October 1981
сс
PS/Lord Trefgarne
Mr Donald
Mr Adams
Mr Howells, NTD
Blip
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
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