CONFIDENTIAL
GPS 210
AMENDED DISTRIBUTION
HKK 340
10 MAY
CONFIDENTIAL
REQUIVIE
FM HONG KONG 070915Z MAY 82
117
TO PRIORITY FCO
(36)
TELEGRAM NUMBER 472 OF 7 MAY
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
32
FROM DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR
YOURTELNOS 313 AND 316: BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT.
IND
irt
PROCEDURALLY IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE TO ADVISE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF LORD BELSTEAD'S REPLY RATHER THAN SIMPLY PASS IT TO UMELCO.
2. WE ARE, THEREFORE, PREPARING AN INFORMATION PAPER WHICH I HOPE CAN BE TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON 18 MAY. AFTERWARDS WE SHALL
CIRCULATE IT TO UMELCO.
3. IN VIEW OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THIS ISSUE, AND THE CONTINUING CONCERN OF MEMBERS, WE CAN EXPECT THAT THE REPLY WILL RECEIVE A VERY
COOL RESPONSE. MEMBERS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY REVERT TO THE EARLIER
HISTORY OF THIS SUBECT INCLUDING STATEMENTS IN COMMITTEE (OURTELNO 494 OF 12 MAY 1981) IN WHICH THE POINT WAS MADE THAT PEOPLE OF
DEPENDENCIES ARE UK NATIONALS.
4. IT WILL NOT BE TOO EASY FOR ME TO EXPLAIN TO UMELCO THAT THE
REASON WHY THE NATIONAL STATUS CANNOT BE BRITISH IS A LEGAL
PROBLEM AND THAT IT CANNOT BE GOT ROUND'' SINCE WE HAVE NOT
SEEN THE LEGAL ADVICE UPON WHICH THIS VIEW IS BASED. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES COULD I PLEASE HAVE A SIGHT OF THE LEGAL ADVICE
BEFORE 18 MAY ?
HADDON-CAVE
CRY
AP195
8
LIMITED
HKGD
NTD
PS
PS/LORD BEL STEAD
PS/PUS
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
CONFIDENTIAL