ESSENTIAL FACTS
CONFIDENTIAL
1.
A
THE NATIONALITY BILL
1. Hong Kong is concerned that the proposed Citizenship of British
Dependent Territories (CBDT) does not sufficiently express the
'Britishness' of Hong Kong belongers and will prove 'second class'
citizenship.
2. Earlier in the year, HMG made certain amendments to the Bill
to meet some of Hong Kong's points. HMG have also given repeated
assurances that the Bill does not affect the UK's present relation-
ship with Hong Kong. The position was reached therefore where Hong
Kong, albeit reluctantly, accepted the Bill.
3. However, the House of Lords voted in July for an amendment to
give Gibraltarians, by virtue of their EC connection, the right to
become British Citizens. HMG-opposed this amendment, and will attempt
to reverse it when the Bill returns to the Commons on 26 October.
The amendment has revived interest in Hong Kong in obtaining a
compensatory concession, a change in nomenclature that would underline
the individual British connection. Their and FCO efforts to get this
B have so far been unsuccessful.
4.
Lord Kadoorie was introduced into the House of Lords on
mode
14 October and will be making his maiden speech during the Nationality
Bill debate. While it is customary to keep a maiden speech non-
controversial, it is likely that, as Hong Kong's only Lord,
Spru
Lord Kadoorie will speak on the effects of the Bill upon the Territory.
16 October 1981
Hong Kong and General Department
CONFIDENTIAL