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citizens out of any legislative declaration that particular categories of citizens were British nationals.
Despite these drawbacks, I do not see how the Government can
be seen to be actively opposing Baroness Vickers' Bill, which will command widespread support among our supporters. Even lack of co-operation could be damaging to us. I therefore recommend that, while we should make clear the implications which the Bill has for the overall scheme of citizenship set out in the 1981 Act, we should not oppose the Bill. Indeed I think that we should go further and offer drafting assistance if the Bill is given a Second Reading. We should make it clear that we were only doing this on the basis that the Bill remained confined to Falkland Islanders'
citizenship and was not widened to bring in anyone else.
I do not envisage that we should offer Government time for
the Bill when it reaches the Commons, but it could well be
passed on the nod if we do not seek to block it.
The Bill is expected to have its Second Reading on Monday,
29 November, and I therefore propose to circulate a
memorandum to Legislation Committee on Friday, 18 November recommending the line suggested in paragraph 4.
I am sending copies of this minute to the members of OD and L as well as to Sir Robert Armstrong and First
Parliamentary Counsel.
い
bolw
17 November 1982
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