A
GOVERNMENT AMENDMENT
LINE TO TAKE
CONFIDENTIAL
I am very glad that we have been able to make this amendment to the
Bill at this stage. I know that a number of hon and rt hon Members
anxious that we should incorporate the title of the new form of nationality in the Bill before it went to another place.
were
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My rt hon and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary announced the title British National (Overseas) in the Second
Reading Debate.
A s
It was on the whole well received by the House.
a result of the Government's decision to postpone the Committee Stage the people of Hong Kong have now had an opportunity to express their opinions on the title, and I am glad to be able to report that the clear majority of opinion in the territory has been favourable.
It was not easy to devise a title which meets all the necessary
requirements. On the one hand it needs to make clear that we are
dealing with a form of British nationality. Nothing less would be acceptable in Hong Kong. On the other hand it is essential that the
title can be used after 1997 and therefore that it carries no implication of a continuing constitutional relationship between Britain and Hong Kong after 1997.
I commend the amendment to the Committee.
CONFIDENTIAL