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even to expatriates. As administration passes more fully
into local hands, the expertise needed for participation in
the Group will increasingly be found among local people.
NATIONALITY TITLE
10. Now being pressed to say what will be title of new
"status" referred to in British Memorandum. Considerable
feeling in parliament and in Hong Kong about this. Shall
soon need this, in order to put in legislation. Very
important to ensure acceptance by third countries of British
passports corresponding to new status. Two essential requirements: first, in order to be able to issue passports
we must make it clear in our law that new status is a form of
British nationality Second, must clearly indicate that the
status is unique to ex-BDTCs connected with Hong Kong.
Otherwise there will be confusion and problems may arise in
third countries.
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11. Therefore propose to describe new status as "British
national: Hong Kong" in our nationality law. In passports, description of national status will be "British Hong Kong".
Believe this is minimum necessary to make clear to third
governments nature of document and status of holder, without
implying Chinese acceptance of dual nationality. (Will
naturally be no reference to Chinese nationality, either in
British nationality law or in passports corresponding to new
status.)
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
12.
Considerable pressures in Hong Kong now for
constitutional development, and increasing all the time.
Have adopted cautious attitude. White Paper proposals allow
visible progress but unlikely to give rise to any radical
change. Review in 1987.
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