六
Stage and Third Reading in order to hear Hong Kong's views on
Bill.
ANDREW FAULDS
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Will assurances on prevention of statelessness cover
non-Chinese Hong Kongers living abroad? Potentially stateless
people must receive recognised citizenship with specific
status.
it
Citizenship much too sensitive and complex to be left to "take
or leave it" Order in Council procedure. Agreed with John
Morris's suggestion that draft Orders should be introduced.
British National (Overseas) is dreadful, anonymous title
cannot be acceptable. Why not include "Hong Kong" in title?
Would be immediately recognisable by immigration officials.
Government's and Parliament's responsibility to gain universal acceptance for new passport, which should be introduced over
limited period.
DENIS HEALEY
(a) Annual report and debate would not prevent debating important
developments as and when they occur.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Any precedent for establishment of new category of citizenship for people of a colonial territory through Order in Council?
This method undesirable in principle but understands why
Government has used it. Government should make provision to
revise Order and resubmit it
and resubmit it to House in event of strong
opposition from Hong Kong or Parliament; should also allow
enough time between publication and debate for Hong Kong to
form views and transmit them to MPs.
Critical of Prime Minister's "insensitivity" during recent
visit to Hong Kong: what did she mean by saying Joint Liaison
Group would be consulted on pace of political reforms?
Basic Law: matter for Peking. Do Government have any
information about how Peking will consult Hong Kong people?
Why did Prime Minister say that Governor would be a member of Joint Liaison Group?
How will Government ensure rest of world allows Hong Kong to
continue membership of international organisations, eg GATT,
MFA?