CONFIDENTIAL
LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 6 TO 10 DECEMBER 1982
BRIEF NO.3: NATIONALITY
POINTS TO MAKE
NOMENCLATURE IN PASSPORTS
1.
Very pleased that the Government was able to agree that all BDTCS should be described as British in passports.
2.
Prime Minister took personal interest in this. Her
position underlines HMG's strong and continuing commitment to
the territory.
BARONESS VICKERS' BILL ON BRITISH CITIZENSHIP FOR FALKLAND
ISALNDERS
3.
[IF RAISED]
Falklands situation wholly exceptional.
Bill logically unnecessary, but reflects strength of public
feeling in UK. Our line on Passports shows commitment to other dependent territories.
BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981
4.
[IF RAISED] BNA did not take any rights away from holders of Hong Kong British passports. Right of entry to UKhas not existed since 1962. Simply change of nomemclature to
clarify existing situation.
5.
Hong Kong's case strenuously pressed during passage of BNA and changes made as a result. Creation of new category of BDTC reflected importance placed on links with Dependent
Territories.
CONFIDENTIAL
/6.