SECRET
12.
Consideration is now being given to other ways of enlisting the
UNHCR's help in seeking permanent solutions for the refugees
awaiting resettlement in Hong Kong and we shall be submitting
separately on this shortly
DISCRETIONARY REGISTRATION UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT.
(DEFENSIVE)
Cin
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13. Section 4 of BNA provides for discretionary registration as British citizens for those with Crown Service in Dependent
Territories or for members of any body established under the Crown.
The Home Secretary will exercise his descretion sparingly. Applicants will be judged principally on the nature and quality of their service, and their connections with the UK will obviously be
relevant. Criteria will be strict, and successful applications will
be the exception rather than the rule.
arese
14. Concern of Unofficials and Hong Kong civil servants stems from
the anxiety that a future Chinese administration might not look
kindly on prominent service under the Crown. Much press and public interest in Hong Kong after the Local Inspectors' Association of the
Royal Hong Kong Police Force asked their members' permission to represent them in "negotiations" with HMG over their right of abode
in the UK. Hong Kong Government's public line is that it is
premature to speculate about these questions while talks are going
on in Peking. Most Civil Service Unions, and senior police
management, have agreed with this.