CODE 18-77
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Hoare, HKD
HONG KONG BILL
Referenect
HKK 040/53.
RECEIVE.
D: INDEX
13 184
142)
1. I have been told this evening by Parliamentary Counsel that Legislation Committee wishes to take this Bill on 9 January. Taking into account seasonal holidays etc this means that the Bill must be printed during the course of next week. We need to finalise the draft this week.
2. On the nationality provisions Counsel is now dissatisfied with each of the three options mentioned in his letter of
10 December. He has a fourth which would involve recasting the whole of paragraph 2(1) of the Schedule.
3.
I think the only way to deal with this, and meet the time- table, is for Pakenham-Walsh and I to attend a meeting with Counsel as soon as possible.
4.
If I have understood it, Counsel's fourth option on nationality is to begin with a statement to the effect that a connection with Hong Kong shall not, after the relevant date, be a qualification for retaining or acquiring BDT citizenship.
7. Bunows
11 December 1984
Copy to:
Mr Powell, HKD
F Burrows
Legal Counsellor
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 75Page 76