CONFIDENTIAL
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to H. K.GO.
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PP HONG KONG
GRS 166
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 041717Z MAY 82
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 313 OF 4 MAY
FOR DEPUTY GOVERNOR FROM LORD BELSTEAD
BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT
1. I AM REPLYING TO THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER OF 16 MARCH TO
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL.
HKK 340/1
2. WE HAVE LOOKED AGAIN VERY CAREFULLY AT THE DESCRIPTION TO BE USED IN BDTC PASSPORTS. WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO ACCOMMODATE
HONG KONG'S WISHES BUT I REGRET TO HAVE TO INFORM YOU THAT THE
LEGAL ADVICE REMAINS FIRMLY THAT THE DESIGNATION IN THE BRITISH
NATIONALITY ACT MUST BE ADHERED TO. I SHOULD THEREFORE BE
GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD EXPLAIN TO UMELCO THAT THIS IS A LEGAL
PROBLEM AND THAT IT CANNOT BE GOT ROUND.
G
112915
See 35
36
(89
See MKK 345/1 1983
3. WE HAVE ALSO CONSIDERED THE QUESTION OF HOW BDTCS SHOULD DESCRIBE THEIR NATIONALITY ON IMMIGRATION FORMS. FORMALLY, WE HAVE TO ADVISE THE USE OF BDTC, BUT THIS IS A MATTER BETWEEN THE
INDIVIDUAL AND THE COUNTRY BEING VISITED. IF OFFICIALS OF THE
LATTER WERE READY TO ACCEPT SAY ' BRITISH: HONG KONG' THEN WE WOULD NOT OBJECT. HOWEVER, WE COULD NOT ADVISE ITS USE.
PYM
4
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DISTRIBUTION
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HKGD
NTD
PS
PS/LORD BELSTEAD
PS/PUS
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
1
CONFIDENTIAL