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(c) grants diplomatic privileges and immunities to the five Chinese
members of the Joint Liaison Group who will attend meetings
Group in London.
of the
Others
4. The main area of controversy is likely to be the nationality
provisions of the Bill. There may be some disappointment that the
Bill does not itself deal definitively with all the changes to
nationality law which will be necessary. Certain Members of
Parliament may propose amendments to make it clear that there can be
no question of large scale immigration to the UK, or otherwise to
restrict the rights relating to the new form of nationality.
may press us to be more generous. Unofficial Members of Hong Kong's
Executive and Legislative Councils are likely to lobby hard for
their own particular interests. We should however be able to argue
that the enabling power in itself is not controversial. Detailed
nationality provisions will be implemented by subsequent Orders in
Council, which will be subject to affirmative procedures and can
therefore be debated by Parliament. In the last resort we could
jettison the nationality provisions, which are not essential for
ratification, if it was clear that otherwise the Bill could not
not be
passed in time to
to meet the ratification deadline.
5. It is conceivable that the termination of sovereignty in the
Bill 12 years in advance of the transfer of administration could
cause controversy. The subject of diplomatic privileges and immunities is also sensitive, although in this case the extension of
privileges and immunities is not a very significant one.
TERRITORIAL EXTENT
6.
The Bill will apply throughout the United Kingdom and to all
British possessions.
TIMING
7. The Joint Declaration states that ratification will take place
before 30 June 1985. Royal Assent should therefore be given as soon
as possible, and in any case not later than 15 June 1985 SO as to
allow time for ratification procedures.
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