INSERT
DSR 11C
CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
3. The issue is however politically and psychologically ve
important in terms of UK/Hong Kong relations and of our
responsibility for the welfare and protection of the
interests of the Hong Kong people. It has become caught up
with the whole question of Hong Kong's future and has a
continuing influence on confidence in the Territory.
There is no doubt.
As we move into negotiations with the Chinese, following the
is bound to increase leading to Prime Minister's visit, uncertainty will grow as will demands
for reassurance about the genuineness of our commitment to
Hong Kong and the interests of her people.
that a gesture such as describing them in their passports as
'British nationals' would help to allay anxieties and boost
confidence. On the other hand, to reject their request would
cause grave disappointment to them, indeed more so now that
their hopes have been raised somewhat by the Prime Minister's
remark in Hong Kong that she would take up thepoint on her
return and hoped that we would be able to have 'some
encouraging news' for them. This disappointment would also
certainly be aggravated when it becomes known that HMG do
not intend to oppose Lord Bruce of Donington's bill for
British citizenship for those Falkland Islanders who do not
at present qualify for it.
4.
There does not appear to be any dispute that the
holders of all three new citizenships created by the BNA 1981
are British nationals in the sense that the UK Government
are entitled to accord them consular protection when they
travel abroad on passports issued to them. There can
therefore be no legal objection to the inclusion in Hong Kong
passports of the additional description 'British national'.
This view, is, I believe, shared by the Home Office and FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
/Legal