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LORD PRIVY SEAL'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 8 TO 10 JANUARY 1982
BRIEF NO 17 : MEETING WITH UMELCO
Hikk 340|l
POINTS TO MAKE
NEW PARAGRAPH 2 : NATIONALITY ACT
Understand importance of Bill for Hong Kong and appreciate your
contribution. Am also grateful to Governor for way he handled this
very difficult matter and put Hong Kong's case so well. We did make
changes at your request, eg separate category for British Dependent
Territories' Citizens, naturalisation by registration. But regret
could not meet your wishes on British National amendment. It would
have led to confusion. (If pressed: This is because the international
law term 'national' could have become mixed up with the concept of
nationality and citizenship if introduced into domestic law. Immigration
officers and others might have believed that it had some significance
in terms of entry and abode.) HMG would therefore have to oppose it
in Commons if Lords had passed it. Ministers have made it quite clear
that the Act does not affect our commitment to Hong Kong. I reaffirm
that.
CONFIDENTIAL