© 026/20
Mr. Willish
29
Mar Clift
K124/HKGD
10 NO DISTRIBUTION
[Top+/Advanced/HE GO
MICK 340/1
4·36
00 HONGAID
GPS 230
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG 200908Z OCT 81
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1856 OF 20 OCTOBER
FOR DAVID FORD FROM GOVERNOR.
PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO LORD GEDDES:
BEGINS:
DISK OFFING INDEX
мо
22.00
86023/10!
I AM IMMENSELY GRATEFUL FOR THE SYMPATHY YOU HAVE SHOWN FOR PEOPLE
IN HONG KONG AND THE EFFECT ON THEM OF THE NATIONALITY BILL.
IT IS TRUE THAT THE BILL AS IT STANDS DOES NOT ALTER CONSTITUTIONALLY
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HMG AND HONG KONG, NOR HMG'S COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG ITSELF, OR TO HELP HONG KONG TRAVELLERS ABROAD, NOR DOES IT CHANGE THEIR RIGHTS OF ENTRY AND ABODE IN THE UK. BUT THE CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE CITIZENSHIP OF HONG KONG PEOPLE,
AND THE CALLING IN QUESTION OF THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF TERMS
LIKE BRITISH NATIONAL AND BRITISH SUBJECT THAT HAVE BEEN CURRENT
FOR SO LONG HAVE CREATED A SENSE OF CHANGE UNEASE
;
AND UNCERTAINTY. YOUR HEROIC EFFORTS TO AMEND THE BILL TO RESPOND,
IF ONLY SYMBOLICALLY, TO THOSE FEELINGS, AND TO PROVIDE REASSURANCE OF CONTINUITY, ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.
ENDS.
2. I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO LORD GEDDES USING THIS IN WHOLE OR IN PART THOUGH I SEE NO NEED NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUPPORT HIM. IN THIS CASE IT COULD BE TAKEN AS A MESSAGE OF PERSONAL
THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM.
3. IF HE DOES USE IT. A SENTENCE SHOULD BE ADDED AT THE END : **IT IS A MATTER OF PARTICULAR SATISFACTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT
HAS AGREED TO SUPPORT YOUR AMENDMENT''
MACLEHOSE
NNNN